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HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 


OF  THE 


TOWN  OF  LEICESTER, 


MASSACHUSETTS, 


Wi 

DURING  THE  FIRST  CENTURY  FROM  ITS  SETTLEMENT. 


?>Y  EMORY  WASHBURN. 


BOSTON: 

IHilNTEI)  BY  JOHN  WILSON  AND  SON, 
22,  School  Street. 

18G0. 


F 

.L.SS' 
vV  F 


BOSTON  COLLEGE  LIBRAF?T' 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  02167 


unpretentimg  lEffort, 


TO  RESCUE  FROM  OBLIVION  THE  SIMPLE  ANNALS  OF  MY  NATIVE  TOWN. 

I gebicHle  to  t^ose. 

THE  LIVING  AND  THE  DEAD, 


TO  WHOSE  KIXDXESS  AND  AFFECTION  I OWE  SO  MANY  OF  THE  PLEASANT 
MEMORIES  THAT  CLUSTER  AROUND  THE  HOME  OF  MY 
CHILDHOOD. 


CAMBRIDfiE,  April,  1860. 


EMORY  WASHBURN. 


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Map  ofllie 

EAST  PRECINCT 
orSettlers  part  op 

EEicris'i'Em,. 


ftr.H  (uirl  out  from 

/7/^jo  /r/r. 


///  Surveys  lit 

JOS, A. DENNY.  I860. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


INTEODUCTION. 

XN  attempting  to  embody  the  local  incidents  which  go  to 
make  up  the  history  of  one  of  our  municipal  corporations 
called  “ Towns/’  it  would  be  a matter  of  curious  and  interest- 
ing inquiry  to  trace  the  origin  of  these  bodies  politic.  Nothing 
precisely  like  them  had  been  known  to  the  first  settlers  in 
New  England,  before  their  removal  here  ; though  the  idea 
may  have  been  borrowed  from  the  early  division  of  England 
into  Hundreds,  or  Tithings.  These  had  their  origin  in  a rude 
state  of  society,  for  the  purposes  of  civil  and  domestic  police. 
But  the  division  of  a territory  into  local  districts  by  geo- 
graphical lines,  and  conferring  upon  their  inhabitants  corpo- 
rate powers  and  duties  like  those  with  which  the  towns  of 
New  England  are  clothed,  will,  it  is  believed,  be  found  to 
have  been  an  institution  originally  peculiar  to  the  Colonies 
planted  there. 

It  was  probably  the  result,  in  part,  of  accident  at  first; 
but  was  chiefly  due,  like  so  many  of  the  measures  which  the 
founders  of  these  Colonies  inaugurated,  to  the  singular  wis- 
dom and  foresight  with  which  they  adapted  their  policy  to 
the  condition  of  the  people.  Without,  at  first,  setting  apart 
a prescribed  portion  of  territory,  and  clothing  it  with  corpo- 

1 


4* 


2 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


rate  powers,  the  General  Court  conferred  these  upon  such 
settlements  as  from  their  size,  and  remoteness  from  others, 
rendered  a corporate  organization  a matter  of  safety  and  con- 
venience. Thus  it  is  said  that  the  only  Act  of  Incorporation 
of  Boston,  Dorchester,  or  Watertown,  was  an  order  of  the 
General  Court,  “ that  Trimountain  shall  be  called  Boston ; 
Mattapan,  Dorchester;  and  the  town  on  Charles  River,  Water- 
town.” 

The  Colony,  through  its  government,  stood  in  two  relations 
to  the  settlers  upon  the  hitherto  unoccupied  lands ; by  one 
of  which,  a title  to  these  lands  was  granted ; and,  by  the 
other,  the  requisite  powers  were  conferred  and  duties  imposed 
upon  them  as  bodies  politic.  Provision  was  thus  made  for 
the  support  of  the  gospel,  the  maintenance  of  highways,  the 
management  of  their  municipal  aJBfairs,  and,  at  an  early  day, 
for  the  support  of  free  schools.  In  process  of  time,  grants 
of  specific  portions  of  territory  were  made  in  anticipation  of 
settlements  being  formed  thereon  within  prescribed  periods ; 
and,  when  formed,  corporate  powers  were  conferred  upon 
them,  generally  by  very  brief  Acts,  which  assumed  that  these 
powers  and  duties  were  understood  and  defined  by  the  na- 
ture of  the  organization  to  which  vitality  was  thereby  given. 
This  will  be  illustrated  by  the  Act  incorporating  the  town 
whose  history  it  is  now  proposed  to  write. 

But,  whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  these  town 
organizations,  it  may  be  doubted  whether  the  true  New-Eng- 
land  character  which  has  distinguished  the  Northern  Colonies, 
in  their  earlier  and  later  history,  may  not  be  more  directly 
traced  to  the  existence  of  these  than  to  any  other  single 
cause.  While,  as  has  been  remarked,  they  were  made  the 
means  of  sustaining  public  religious  worship  and  schools,  and 
enforcing  a salutary  domestic  police,  they  became  the  me- 
dium of  accomplishing  scarcely  less  important  results  in  their 
social  and  political  bearing.  As  little  independent  demo- 
cracies, they  gave  to  eveiy  citizen  a part  and  share  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


3 


management  of  their  concerns,  and  rendered  him  familiar 
with  the  forms  and  details  of  public  business,  as  well  as  the 
nature  and  extent  of  popular  rights  and  duties;  and,  by 
means  of  the  discussions  to  which  the  meetings  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  several  towns  at  stated  intervals  gave  rise,  every 
man  learned  how  to  give  utterance  to  his  own  opinions,  and 
to  feel  the  dignity  and  responsibility  of  a free  man  among 
his  equals. 

Every  man,  moreover,  felt  that  he  was  a part  of  one  corpo- 
rate whole.  Its  limits  were  the  bounds  of  his  home.  Its 
very  scenery  became  identified  with  his  earliest  and  holiest 
associations  and  affections ; and  the  church  where  his  fathers 
had  worshipped,  and  the  churchyard  where  his  fathers  were 
sleeping,  had  for  him  a sanctified  interest  which  no  other  spot 
could  ever  awaken.  Its  history  became  a part  of  his  own. 
The  burdens  of  taxation  were  relieved  of  half  their  weight 
by  the  consciousness  that  they  were  imposed  by  his  own 
agents,  for  purposes  connected  with  the  honor,  prosperity, 
and  reputation  of  his  own  town ; and,  in  this  way,  incidents 
in  the  domestic  history  of  one  of  these  little  communities 
often  acquired  an  interest  for  its  members  disproportioned  to 
their  intrinsic  importance,  and  which  it  was  diflScult  for  a 
stranger  to  understand.  They  partook  of  the  character 
which  the  mind  spontaneously  associates  with  the.  events 
that  go  to  make  up  the  inner  life  of  one’s  own  self  and  that 
of  his  family. 

I hardly  need  to  add,  that  it  is  with  feelings  like  these  that 
I have  ventured  upon  a task  of  so  much  labor,  — which  can 
bring,  in  return,  no  reward  of  fame  or  money,  — of  gather- 
ing up  the  few  and  scattered  materials  which  remain  of  the 
history  of  this  now  ancient  town  of  Leicester,  for  the  first 
century  of  its  existence  as  a body  politic.  I cannot  suffi- 
ciently express  the  regret  I feel  that  some  other  hand  had 
not  undertaken  the  work,  and  that  it  had  not  been  under- 
taken at  a much  earlier  day.  The  brief  and  imperfect  sketch 


4 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


of  the  history  of  the  town,  hastily  prepared,  now  more  than 
thirty  years  ago,  was  even  then  too  late  to  be  wdiat  it  should 
have  been.  It  is  the  more  to  be  regretted,  because,  within 
the  recollection  of  many  now  living,  intelligent  men  and 
women  were  residing  here  who  formed  a part  of  the  genera- 
tion that  succeeded  the  first  settlement  of  the  town,  and 
possessed  a rich  fund  of  anecdote  and  local  incident  connect- 
ed with  its  earliest  history,  which  has  been  buried  in  their 
graves,  and  irretrievably  lost.*  Even  of  the  events  of  the 
Revolution,  in  which  the  town  took  an  early  and  active  part, 
not  a living  witness  remains. 

But,  much  as  we  may  lament  the  loss  of  these  sources  of 
her  early  history,  I greatly  miscalculate,  or  there  will  still  be 
found,  in  the  materials  which  have  been  preserved,  enough 
to  furnish  a record  of  the  fathers,  which  the  sons  may  feel  a 
generous  pride  in  recalling.  The  very  nature  of  the  work 
of  tracing  out  and  collecting  these  bespeaks  the  indulgence 
which  is  due  to  him  who  undertakes  it ; and,  if  the  following 
pages  do  no  more,  they  will  bear  testimony  to  the  grateful 
memories  and  associations  of  one,  in  whose  mind  they  are 
connected  with  the  spot  of  his  birth,  and,  for  twenty-eight 
years,  the  home  of  his  affections. 


♦ Among  those  I might  mention,  of  the  class  here  referred  to,  was  Mrs.  Mary 
Sargent,  the  widow  of  Nathan,  and  mother  of  the  late  John  Sargent,  sen.  She  was 
born  in  1727,  — a daughter  of  Daniel  Denny,  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town, — 
and  survived  till  1822 ; a period  of  ninety-five  years,  which  went  back  within  ten  years 
of  the  planting  of  the  town.  She  w^as  a remarkably  bright,  intelligent  lady.  Her 
memory  was  stored  with  interesting  local  and  personal  anecdotes;  and  her  recollec- 
tions, if  they  had  been  noted  down  and  treasured,  would  have  furnished  a most  fruitful 
and  interesting  source  of  the  history  of  the  town.  She  retained  her  mental  powers 
till  a late  period  in  her  life;  and  is  still  remembered  as  a most  agreeable,  cheerful,  and 
entertaining  lady.  I recollect  a very  pleasant  jonrney,  in  her  company,  from  Leices- 
ter into  Vermont  and  back  again,  when  she  was  eighty-four  years  old.  Age  had 
hardly  dulled  the  quickness  of  her  vivacity,  or  impaired  the  vigor  of  her  mind  or 

bod  V. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


5 


CHAPTEH  I. 


PURCHASE,  INCORPORATION,  AND  SETTLEMENT  OF  THE  TOWN. — 

NOTICES  OF  ITS  ORIGINAL  PROPRIETORS,  ALLOTMENTS  OF  ITS 

TERRITORY,  &c. 

The  first  notice  we  have  of  the  place,  afterwards  called 
Leicester,  is  in  1686,  when  the  territory  was  purchased  of 
the  Indian  proprietors  by  a company  of  nine  persons,  most 
of  whom  belonged  to  Roxbury.  Although  the  jurisdiction 
over  arid  general  property  in  the  soil  was  conferred  by  their 
charter  upon  the  Company  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  the 
right  of  soil  in  the  aborigines  as  occupants  thereof  was 
recognized  by  the  government  of  the  Colony,  and  was  re- 
garded in  most  instances  by  the  colonists  in  making  acqui- 
sitions of  parts  of  the  territory. 

The  usual  course  of  proceeding  in  such  cases  was  to  obtain, 
from  the  head  men  or  chiefs  of  the  tribes  inhabiting  the  por- 
tion of  the  territory  which  it  was  desired  to  acquire,  a formal 
deed  of  release  ; for  which  some  satisfactory,  though  often 
inconsiderable,  compensation  was  paid.  Upon  application  to 
the  General  Court,  the  title  thus  acquired  was  generally 
confirmed,  but  upon  such  conditions  as  they  saw  fit  to  pre- 
scribe. 

Companies  of  private  speculators  early  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness of  thus  buying  up  Indian  titles  to  lands,  which  they 
secured  to  themselves  by  confirmatory  acts  of  the  General 
Court.  There  was,  ordinarily,  no  difficulty  in  effecting  these 
confirmatory  grants,  since  the  leading  men  in  the  Colony 
were  largely  concerned  in  these  speculations.  The  spirit  for 


6 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


such  enterprises  seems  to  have  pervaded  all  classes,  espe- 
cially from  the  first  to  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century ; 
including,  as  the  history  of  this  town  will  show,  officers  the 
highest  in  authority,  as  well  as  ministers  of  the  gospel.  It 
would,  in  fact,  be  difficult  to  trace  to  its  origin  the  rage  and 
mania  for  speculation  in  lands  with  which  our  community  is 
periodically  affiicted.  Without  attempting  it  in  this  case,  I 
have  only  to  speak  of  the  mode  in  which  such  enterprises 
were  managed. 

These  companies  became  a kind  of  corporation  known  as  a 
Proprietary ; managing  their  affairs,  even  to  the  granting  of 
their  lands,  by  votes,  of  which  they  preserved  records,  and 
which,  in  many  instances  in  Massachusetts,  form  the  only 
evidence  of  the  original  titles  to  lands  as  acquired  from  the 
original  proprietors.  These  books  of  Proprietors’  Records,” 
therefore,  have  become  valuable  as  muniments  of  title  to 
lands  ; and,  in  most  instances,  have  been  carefully  preserved. 

Among  other  tracts  which  were  purchased  by  the  same 
company  to  whom  the  territory  of  Leicester  was  conveyed 
was  the  township  of  Hardwick,  which,  for  a while,  took  the 
name  of  Lambstown  from  that  of  one  of  the  company. 

The  township  of  Leicester  lay  in  the  heart  of  what  was 
known  as  the  Nipnet  or  Nipmuc  country,  which  extended  to 
a considerable  distance  to  the  south,  embracing  the  ponds 
and  streams  in  and  around  Oxford.  The  tribe  seems  to  have 
been  scattered  over  a pretty  large  territory,  extending  from 
Connecticut  River,  easterly,  to  the  tribes  along  the  coast, 
known  as  the  Massachusetts  Indians.  The  settlements  of  the 
tribe  occurred  at  considerable  intervals  through  this  large 
territory ; and  over  these  were  headmen,  or  sachems,  who 
were  nominally  subordinate  in  authority  to  the  principal  chief 
or  ruler  of  the  tribe.* 


* I find  in  tiie  Secretary’s  office  a letter  from  Col.  Chandler  to  Lieut.-Gov.  Dumraer, 
dated  July  7,  1724,  wherein  he  says,  “ There  is  a tribe  of  Indians  between  Wood- 
stock  and  Oxford;  being  women  and  children  about  forty,  the  men  about  seven  or 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


7 


The  Indian  name  of  the  territory  purchased  by  the  Rox- 
bury  men  was  Towtaid,  over  which  Oraskaso  had  been  sa- 
chem. He  had  recently  died,  leaving  two  daughters,  who, 
with  their  husbands,  claimed  title  to  the  soil.  Except  by  a 
rugged  path  called  the  New  Connecticut  Road,  by  which 
occasional  intercourse  was  kept  up  between  the  settlements 
at  Marlborough  and  east  of  that,  and  those  on  Connecticut 
River,  this  region  was  an  inaccessible  wilderness,  and,  at  the 
time  of  the  purchase,  had  no  nearer  white  settlement  than 
Marlborough.  The  settlements  at  Quaboog  or  Brookfield  and 
Worcester  had  been  broken  up  and  dispersed  by  the  war 
of  King  Philip  in  1675.  Indeed,  the  situation  of  the  place 
and  the  circumstances  of  the  country  were  so  unpropitious 
to  a settlement  of  the  lands  they  had  purchased,  that  the 
proprietors  took  no  measures  to  accomplish  this  for  nearly 
thirty  years. 

Their  deed  bears  date  Jan.  27,  IGSG,"^  and  professes  to  con- 
vey eight  miles  square  of  territory  for  the  consideration  of 
fifteen  pounds  current  money  of  New  England.’’  A copy 
of  this  deed  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  to  this  work.  It 
is  executed  by  Philip  Tray,  with  his  wife  Momokhue,  and 
John  Wampscon,  and  Waiwaynom  his  wife;  the  wives  being 
the  heirs  of  the  late  Sachem  Oraskaso.  It  is  also  signed  by 
Wandwoamag  the  deacon,”  and  Jonas  his  wife,  though  not 
named  in  the  deed  : from  which  I am  inclined  to  suppose 
that  they  belonged  to  the  “ Praying  Indians;”  as  there  were, 
a few  years  prior  to  this,  twenty  families  at  Pagachoag,  — a 


eight.”  He  suggests  that  they  ought  not  to  be  permitted  to  live  by  themselves  in  the 
woods,  and  recommends  that  “ they  should  be  drawn  in,  and  be  allowed  to  hunt  under 
conduct  of  an  Englishman.” 

* This,  by  our  present  calendar,  would  be  1687  ; as,  until  1752,  the  year  was 
assumed  to  begin  on  the  25th  March,  or  Lady  Day,  in  the  calendar  of  the  Romish 
Church.  At  that  time  it  began  to  be  reckoned  from  the  1st  January,  which  took  the 
name  of  New  Style  to  distinguish  it  from  the  Old  ; and  it  was  common  to  give  a 
double  date  for  the  year  between  the  1st  January  and  25th  March.  Thus  a deed  or 
event  in  January,  after  the  year  1752,  would  be,  for  example,  Jan.  25,  1755-6. 


8 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


part  of  Worcester  near  to  Towtaid,  — and  there  were  said  to 
be  one  thousand  converted  Indians  within  the  limits  of  the 
Nipmuc  country.* 

The  description  of  the  granted  territory  shows  the  wild 
and  unsettled  state  of  the  region  between  Marlborough  and 
the  Connecticut  River  at  that  time.  It  is  said  to  lie  near 
the  new  town  of  the  English,  called  Worcester.”  It  bounds 
southerly  by  lands  which  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq.,  afterwards 
Gov.  Dudley,  had  lately  bought  of  the  Indians;  which  con- 
sisted of  a gore  of  land,  a part  of  which  helped  afterwards  to 
form  Charlton  : a part  was  known  as  Oxford  North  Gore, 
and  a part  is  embraced  in  the  present  town  of  Auburn.  The 
western  line  cannot  now  be  ascertained  or  identified ; and  the 
northern  one  is  assumed  to  be  known  by  its  running  unto  a 
great  hill  called  Aspomsok,”  which  is  supposed  to  be  the  hill 
now  called  Hasnebumskit  in  Paxton ; and  so  on,  easterly, 
upon  a line,  until  it  comes  against  Worcester  bounds,  and 
joins  unto  their  bounds.” 

The  war  in  which  the  colonists  were  involved  with  the 
French  and  Indians,  known  as  King  William’s  War,  which 
had  begun  in  1690,  was  terminated  by  the  peace  of  Ryswick 
in  1697.  It  was,  however,  followed  by  that  of  Queen  Anne  in 
1702,  which  continued  until  the  peace  of  Utrecht  in  1713; 
and  it  was  not  until  this  time  that  the  proprietors  of  Leices- 
ter, which  they  had  till  then  called  by  the  name  of  Straw- 
berry Hill,  began  to  take  measures  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
benefit  of  their  purchase. 

They  caused  their  deed  to  be  recorded,  and  applied  to  the 
Legislature  for  a confirmation  of  their  title  to  the  tract. 
This  was  granted  upon  condition,  that,  within  seven  years, 
fifty  families  settled  themselves,  in  as  defensible  and  regular 
a way  as  the  circumstances  of  the  place  would  allow,  on 
part  of  said  land ; ” and  that  a suflScient  quantity  thereof  be 


♦ Worcester  Magazine,  vol.  i.  p.  132. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


9 


reserved  for  the  use  of  a gospel  ministry  there  and  a 
school,  (fee. 

These  were  the  usual  conditions  upon  which  the  grants  of 
townships  were  then  made.  By  the  same  vote,  “ the  town  to 
be  named  Leicester,  and  to  belong  to  the  county  of  Middle- 
sex.^^ This  vote  was  passed  on  the  15th  of  February,  1713. 
It  does  not  profess  to  grant  corporate  powers,  or  to  create 
a body  politic,  for  any  purposes,  except  by  implication ; and 
yet  it  is  the  only  Act  of  Incorporation  ever  granted  to  the 
town,  and  under  which  it  has  ever  since  executed  full  cor- 
porate powers  and  duties.  The  proprietors  were  limited  in 
this  legislative  grant  to  a quantity  not  exceeding  eight  miles 
square  of  land.* 

The  persons  named  as  grantees  in  the  original  Indian  deed 
were  Joshua  Lamb,  Nathaniel  Page,  Andrew  Gardner,  Benja- 
min Gamblin,  Benjamin  Tucker,  John  Curtice,  Bichard  Draper, 
Samuel  Buggies,  and  Balf  Bradhurst.  The  grant  of  the 
General  Court  recites  the  former  grant  from  the  heirs  of 
Ouraskoe,  the  original  sachem  of  a place  called  Towtaid;’’ 
and  then  goes  on  to  confirm  the  title  as  above  stated. 

These  proprietors  had,  probably,  already  associated  others 
with  them  in  the  enterprise  of  settling  the  town  and  sharing 
in  the  speculation : for  we  find  them  executing  a deed  on 
the  23d  of  the  same  February,  which  was  acknowledged 
before  Penn  Townsend,  Esq.,  to  thirteen  other  associates ; 

' dividing  the  same  into  twenty  equal  and  undivided  shares, 
of  which  two  were  equally  divided,  each  between  two,  so 
as  to  make  twenty-two  proprietors  of  the  twenty  shares. 
The  names  of  the  persons  who  thus  became  interested  with 
the  original  purchasers  were  Jeremiah  Dummer,  Paul  Dudley, 
John  Clark,  Addington  Davenport,  Thomas  Hutchinson,  John 
White,  William  Hutchinson,  Francis  Wainwright,  John  Chan- 


* In  June,  1714,  a survey  of  the  town  was  made  by  John  Chandler,  by  order  of  the 
General  Court,  in  order  to  fix  its  bounds;  and  it  is  said  by  Whitney,  that  these  were 
established  by  a special  Act  of  the  General  Court  in  January,  1714. 


10 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


dler  and  Thomas  Howe  as  one,  Daniel  Allen  and  Samuel 
Sewall  as  one,  and  William  Dudley. 

Every  one  of  these  were  men  of  influence  in  the  Province ; 
and,  although  none  of  the  twenty-two  proprietors  ever  became 
inhabitants  of  that  portion  of  the  town  which  retained  the 
original  name,  it  seems  proper  to  give  them  a passing  notice, 
from  their  early  connection  with  its  history.  Many  of  them 
belonged  to  Roxbury,  and  others  of  their  number  were 
connected  with  these  by  family  ties. 

Joshua  Lamb,  distinguished  as  ^‘colonel,’’  was  a magistrate 
of  influence  and  respectability.  He  belonged  to  Roxbury, 
was  extensively  engaged  in  the  land-negotiations  of  the  day, 
and  was  a man  of  large  wealth.  It  was  from  him,  as  already 
stated,  that  Hardwick  took  its  first  name  of  Lambstown. 

Samuel  Ruggles  also  belonged  to  Roxbury.  He  was 
grandfather  of  the  well-known  brigadier,’’  Timothy  Ruggles, 
whose  loyalty  to  the  crown  made  him  an  exile  from  his  native 
Province  ; in  which,  while  he  remained,  he  had  no  superior. 

Benjamin  Gamblin,  Benjamin  Tucker,  and  Ralph  Brad- 
hurst,  belonged  to  Roxbury. 

John  Curtice,  an  original  proprietor,  had  died,  and  was 
represented  by  Jonathan  his  son,  who  also  belonged  to 
Roxbury. 

Richard  Draper  was  a Boston  merchant,  and  a deacon  in 
one  of  its  churches. 

Andrew  Gardner,  of  Roxbury,  died  about  1701,  and  was 
represented  by  his  son  Thomas,  who  died  in  Needham  in  1757. 

Nathaniel  Page,  in  1691,  was  a resident  of  Bedford.  He 
was  the  ancestor  of  the  families  of  that  name  in  Hardwick, 
and,  among  them,  of  the  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Page  of  Cambridge. 

Jeremiah  Dummer  was  a man  of  more  consequence  in 
the  Province  than  any  of  the  proprietors  yet  noticed.  He 
belonged  to  Boston ; was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in 
1699,  and  afterwards  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Phi- 
losophy at  the  University  of  Utrecht.  While  in  England,  he 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


11 


shared  the  confidence  and  friendship  of  Bolingbroke.  He 
resided  there  eleven  years  — from  1710  to  1721  — as  Agent 
of  the  Province ; which  was  one  of  the  most  honorable  and 
responsible  trusts  in  the  gift  of  the  General  Court.  Among 
his  publications  as  an  author  was  a Defence  of  the  New-Eng- 
land  Charters  ; a work  of  much  ability.  He  died  in  England, 
at  Plaistow,  in  1739 ; leaving  the  reputation  of  a sound  scholar. 

Paul  Dudley  was  Attorney-General  of  the  Province  at 
the  time  of  his  becoming  a proprietor  of  Leicester.  He  was 
a son  of  Gov.  Joseph  Dudley,  and  was  born  in  Roxbury.  He 
was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1690,  and  studied  law  at  the 
Temple  in  London.  In  1718,  he  was  appointed  to  the  bench 
of  the  Superior  Court,  and  became  Chief-Justice  of  that  court 
in  1745.  This  office  he  held  till  his  death,  in  1751,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight.  In  addition  to  his  acquirements  as  a lawyer 
and  his  services  as  an  able  judge,  he  published  works  upon 
theology  and  natural  science,  and  was  elected  a member  of 
the  Royal  Society  in  London  ; an  honor  conferred  upon  a few 
only  of  the  residents  of  the  Province. 

John  Clark  belonged  to  Boston.  He  was  born  in  1668,  and 
was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1687.  He  became  a leading 
politician  in  his  daj^  and  belonged  to  what  was  known  as 
the  popular  party,’’  at  the  head  of  which  were  the  Cookes, 
father  and  son,  who  were  opposed  to  Gov.  Shute.  When, 
therefore,  he  was  chosen  to  the  Council  in  1720,  he  was 
negatived  by  the  Governor ; but  when  he  was  chosen,  the 
following  year.  Speaker  of  the  House,  the  Governor  was  in- 
duced by  prudential  considerations  to  consent  to  the  election, 
although  strongly  inclined  to  negative  it.  He  afterwards  was 
chosen  to  the  Council,  and  admitted  to  his  seat ; and  was  a 
member  of  that  body  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Dec.  5,  1728. 
He  was  at  that  time  sixty-one  years  of  age.  He  is  spoken  of 
by  Hutchinson  as  “ a person  of  many  valuable  qualities.” 

Addington  Davenport  was  connected  by  marriage  with 
Paul  and  William  Dudley  and  Francis  Wainwright,  all  of 


12 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


them  proprietors  of  the  town  ; and,  about  the  time  of  his  be- 
coming a proprietor,  was  associated  with  Thomas  Hutchinson 
and  John  White,  two  others  of  the  proprietors,  as  trustees 
of  the  Province  loan  of  fifty  thousand  pounds,  in  bills,  issued 
and  let  out  at  five  per  cent,  upon  mortgages  of  real  estate,  to 
the  people  of  the  Province,  as  a substitute  for  a bank,  for 
which  many  were  then  striving.  Judge  Davenport  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1689;  and,  in  1695,  was  appointed 
Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court.  In  1714,  he  was  elected  to  the 
Council ; and,  in  the  following  year,  appointed  to  the  bench 
of  the  Superior  Court ; which  office  he  held  until  his  death, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-six,  in  1736.  His  wife  was  the  daughter 
of  Col.  John  Wainwright  of  Ipswich,  an  influential  citizen  in 
the  Province,  whose  brother  Francis  married  the  sister  of 
Paul  Dudley.  His  own  daughter  married  William  Dudley, 
above  mentioned. 

Thomas  Hutchinson  was  the  father  of  Gov.  Hutchinson, 
and  belonged  to  Boston.  He  was  a merchant,  and  possessed 
a leading  influence  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  Province.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Council  from  1714  to  1739,  with  the 
exception  of  two  years.  He  died  in  the  office,  in  1739,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five. 

John  White  was,  for  many  years.  Clerk  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  ; and,  as  has  been  stated,  was  one  of  the 
trustees  of  the  Province  loan  in  1714.  He  died  of  small-pox, 
taken  by  inoculation,  in  December,  1721 ; * leaving  the  repu- 


* It  should  be  recollected  that  inoculation  for  the  small-pox  was  introduced  into 
America  in  1721.  Notwithstanding  the  frightful  ravages  of  this  disease,  — which  carried 
off  884  out  of  5,759  who  were  attacked  with  it  in  the  natural  way,  in  Boston  alone,  in 
1721, — the  proposition  to  apply  inoculation,  which  was  made  by  Cotton  Mather  from 
accounts  which  he  had  read  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Royal  Society,  was  so  violently 
opposed,  that  no  physician  but  Dr.  Zabdiel  Boylston  dared  to  adopt  it,  and  he  only  in 
a secret  manner.  Mather’s  house  was  assaulted,  and  he  mobbed,  for  his  agency  in  pro- 
moting it.  In  the  year  1721,  247  were  secretly  inoculated;  of  whom  six  only  died,  one 
of  whom  was  Mr.  White.  So  slowly,  however,  did  it  gain  favor,  that  in  1730,  while  in 
Boston  3,600  had  the  disease  in  the  natural  way,  of  whom  488  died,  400  only  were  inocu- 
lated, and  of  these  only  12  died.  — Mass.  Ifist.  Soc.  Coll.,  vol.  iii.  p.  292 ; Holmes'' s Annals, 
vol.  i.  p.  526. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


13 


tation,  in  the  words  of  Hutchinson,  of  “ a gentleman  of  un- 
spotted character.’’ 

William  Hutchinson  belonged  to  Boston ; which  town  he 
represented  in  the  General  Court  in  1721.  He  is  spoken 
of  by  the  historian  as  “ a gentleman  of  very  fair  character ; 
sensible,  virtuous,  discreet,  and  of  an  independent  fortune.” 
He  died  young.  He  belonged  to  the  popular  party  in  politics. 

Francis  Wainwright  belonged  to  Boston,  and  was  the  son 
of  an  influential  man,  — John  Wainwright  of  Ipswich.  He 
was  a merchant,  and  married  the  daughter  of  Gov.  Joseph  and 
sister  of  Paul  and  William  Dudley.  His  sister  married  Judge 
Davenport,  as  has  been  stated.  He  died  in  1722. 

John  Chandler  was  born  in  Woodstock,  then  embraced  in 
Massachusetts  ; his  father  having  emigrated  to  that  place 
from  Roxbury  in  1686.  When  the  county  of  Worcester  was 
organized  in  1731,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate,  and 
Chief- Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  for  that  county. 
Besides  these  offices,  he  held  that  of  colonel  of  a regiment 
of  militia,  and  was  a member  of  the  Council.  He  may  be 
considered  as  the  founder  of  the  family  of  that  name  in  the 
county ; which  for  many  years  shared  largely  in  the  favor 
of  the  Royal  Government,  and  held  numerous  offices  of  honor 
and  trust,  up  to  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  Judge  Chandler 
died  in  1743. 

Thomas  Howe  belonged  to  Marlborough ; was  a colonel  of 
the  militia ; a leading  and  influential  citizen ; and  was  the  son 
of  the  first  white  settler  in  that  town. 

Daniel  Allen,  of  whom  little  is  known,  is  said  to  have 
been  a merchant  of  Boston. 

Samuel  Sewall  belonged  to  Brookline.  He  was  a son  of 
Chief- Justice  Sewall,  and  married  a daughter  of  Gov.  Dudley, 
and  thereby  became  connected  with  Wainwriglit  and  the  two 
Dudleys  above  named.  He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 

William  Dudley,  the  last  named  in  the  deed  before  men- 
tioned, was  the  youngest  son  of  Gov.  Dudley,  and  was  gradu- 


14 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


ated  at  Harvard  in  1705.  He  resided  in  Roxbury.  He  held 
many  important  offices  in  the  Province  ; was  a member  of 
the  Council,  a Colonel  of  the  Suffolk  Regiment,  a Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and,  for  several  years.  Speaker  of 
the  House  of  Representatives.  As  a military  officer,  he  took 
part  in  the  expedition  against  Port  Royal  in  Nova  Scotia,  in 
1710,  which  resulted  in  an  easy  conquest  of  the  place.  His 
wife  Avas  a daughter  of  Judge  Davenport. 

If  it  were  proper,  at  this  distance  of  time,  to  indulge  in 
any  conjectures  in  relation  to  the  affairs  of  the  proprietors, 
one  would  be  led  to  remark  upon  the  character  and  position 
of  the  men  Avith  whom  the  original  purchasers  shared  the 
territory  they  had  acquired.  They  embraced  some  of  the  most 
prominent  and  leading  men  of  both  political  parties,  some  of 
them  connected  with  the  immediate  government  of  the  Pro- 
vince, and  quite  a proportion  of  them  united  by  strong  family 
ties ; and  if  it  could  be  supposed  that  by  lapse  of  time,  or 
defect  in  the  original  deed,  or  any  other  cause,  it  had  become 
necessary  to  exert  a combined  influence  over  the  government 
in  order  to  obtain  a conflrmation  of  the  title,  it  is  pretty 
obvious  that  these  Avere  precisely  the  class  of  men  through 
whose  aid  such  a measure  might  be  hoped  to  be  accom- 
plished. 

Col.  Penn  Townsend  also,  who  certifled  the  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  deed,  was  a leading  man  in  the  Province.  He 
was  connected  by  marriage  with  Judge  Davenport;  had  been 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives^  Chief-Justice  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Suffolk;  and  had  held  other 
important  offices. 

But  as  we  are  bound  to  presume,  in  the  absence  of  any 
positive  proof  to  the  contrar}q  that,  in  the  “ good  old  times  ” 
in  Avhich  these  events  took  place,  every  thing  was  properly 
done,  we  have  only  to  folloAv  out  the  action  of  these  proprietors 
till  the  toAvn  was  fully  organized  as  a municipal  corporation. 
The  records  of  their  proceedings,  unfortunately,  are  someAvhat 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


15 


mutilated ; though  enough  remains  to  indicate  the  general 
course  of  their  measures. 

It  will  be  recollected,  that  one  condition  upon  which  the 
grant  of  the  Legislature  was  made  was  the  settlement  of 
fifty  families  within  the  township  within  seven  years ; and 
this  the  proprietors  undertook  at  once  to  accomplish.  The 
method  they  proposed  was  by  holding  out  an  inducement 
to  a proper  number  of  families  to  come  and  occupy  their 
lands,  by  setting  apart  the  easterly  half  of  the  township,  and 
disposing  of  the  same  to  actual  settlers  upon  favorable  terms, 
and  thereby  to  save  to  themselves  an  absolute  property  in 
the  other  half 

A meeting  was  accordingly  held  in  Boston  on  the  same 
day  with  the  date  of  their  deed,  at  which  John  Chandler  was 
chosen  clerk.  A vote  was  passed  to  dispose  of  one-half  of  the 
town  to  settlers,  and  to  divide  the  remainder  into  twenty  lots, 
of  a thousand  acres  or  less  each,  as  a Committee  appointed 
for  the  purpose  should  judge  best  and  most  convenient,  when 
on  the  spot.’’  — “ Col.  Dudley,  Capt.  Lamb,  Capt.  Chandler, 
Capt.  Howe,  and  Capt.  Buggies,”  were  made  the  Committee 
to  determine  which  half  should  be  assigned  to  the  settlers, 
and  which  retained  for  the  proprietors,  and  to  grant  ‘‘  lots, 
after-divisions,  and  rights,  in  that  half  to  be  settled.” 

On  the  14th  of  May  following  this  meeting,  an  allotment,  in 
part,  of  the  settlers’  or  eastern  half,  was  made,  but  upon 
condition  that  the  lots  should  be  settled  by  May,  1717,  or  be 
forfeited.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  however,  several 
to  whom  allotments  had  been  made  had  failed  to  perform 
the  condition ; and  another  term  of  one  year  was  extended 
to  them,  upon  their  giving  bonds  conditioned  to  comply  with 
the  requirements.  The  vote  of  the  Committee  who  had  this 
matter  in  charge  indicated  a commendable  spirit  of  liberality. 
Whatever  sums  might  be  forfeited  were,  thereby,  to  be  em- 
ployed for  the  purposes  of  a meeting-house,  highways,  bridges, 
and  similar  public  uses. 


16 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


One  thing  is  observable  in  the  making  of  these  early  allot- 
ments ; and  that  is,  the  great  value  and  importance  which 
were  attached  to  what  were  called  meadows.’^  By  these 
they  understood  the  low  and  swampy  tracts  which  were 
destitute  of  a forest  growth,  and  in  which  natural  grasses 
were  found  growing. 

Most  of  these  have,  of  late  years,  been  esteemed  of  little 
value  ; partly,  it  may  be,  from  having  lost  their  original 
sources  of  fertility,  and  partly  from  a want  of  proper  care 
and  culture.  But,  as  a means  of  supplying  sustenance  to 
the  farming  stock  of  the  first  settlers  until  they  could  till 
their  uplands,  these  meadows  were,  indeed,  invaluable.  Pro- 
vision was  accordingly  made,  in  respect  to  the  western  half, 
for  dividing  all  the  meadows  of  twenty  acres  or  more  among 
the  proprietors  in  equal  proportion ; and  it  will  be  perceived 
hereafter  that  a similar  policy  was  adopted  in  respect  to  the 
settlers’  part  of  the  town. 

The  cedar-swamps,”  on  the  contrary,  were  at  first  suf- 
fered to  lie  in  common  for  the  personal  use  and  accommoda- 
tion of  the  owners  of  the  other  lands.  There  were  two 
principal  cedar-swamps  in  the  settlers’  half,  — one  of  these 
in  the  north-west  and  the  other  in  the  south-west  part  of  the 
town,  — the  latter  of  which  was  never  partitioned,  like  the 
other  lands  in  the  town. 

There  were  several  meadows  which  were  early  distin- 
guished by  names ; most  of  which  can  be  still  identified, 
though  some  of  them  have  ceased  to  be  improved  as  such. 
Among  these  were  Town  Meadow,  about  half  a mile  west  of 
the  meeting-house  ; now  fiowed  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
the  works  in  the  brick  factory  of  Mr,  Sargent.  Another  was 
Pond  Meadow,  lying  south-west  of  Henshaw  Pond,  so  called, 
through  which  the  waters  from  that  pond  flow,  and  extending 
to  the  road  leading  to  Auburn. 

For  the  remainder  of  these,  as  well  as  for  the  localities  of 
the  allotments  and  many  other  points  of  geographical  interest 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


17 


in  the  description  of  the  town,  I must  refer  the  reader  to  the 
Map  annexed  to  this  work ; for  which  he  is  indebted  to  the 
patient  research,  extended  labor,  and  fondness  for  antiqua- 
rian lore,  of  Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq.,  for  whose  frequent  aid  in 
the  prosecution  of  this  work  I am  happy  to  acknowledge  my 
indebtedness. 

The  allotment  begun  in  May,  1714,  to  the  settlers,  was  carried 
out  by  setting  out  to  them  fifty  parcels,  — some  in  quantities 
of  thirty  acres,  some  of  forty,  and  some  of  fifty,  — and  appro- 
priating a lot  of  a hundred  acres  for  schools ; reserving  one 
forty-acre  lot  of  the  fifty  for  the  ministry,  and  assigning  three 
additional  lots  upon  condition  that  mills  should  be  erected 
thereon.  These  were  considered  as  the  original  house-lots  ; ’’ 
and  the  proprietors  of  each  were  to  receive,  as  after-rights,’’ 
a hundred  acres  in  some  other  part  of  the  town  for  every  ten 
included  in  their  respective  house-lots.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  23d  July,  1722,  that  the  conditions  upon  which  these 
allotments  had  been  made  were  sufficiently  complied  with  to 
call  for  any  action  on  the  part  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the 
town,  who  as  yet  had  made  no  formal  deed  of  conveyance  to 
the  settlers  of  their  lands.  At  that  time,  a meeting  of  these 
proprietors  was  helcF at  the  Green-Dragon  Tavern  in  Boston. 

To  one  who  remembers  the  character  of  those  famous  meet- 
ings at  that  house,  so  well  known  in  the  history  of  the  times, 
just  before  and  during  the  Revolution,  there  may  seem  to  have 
been  something  of  unconscious  appropriateness  in  the  place  in 
which  this  meeting  was  held,  when  he  recalls,  as  this  history 
will  show,  the  early  and  persistent  devotion  of  its  people  to 
the  principles  and  cause  of  the  American  Revolution. 

On  that  occasion,  it  was  voted  that  Col.  William  Dud- 
ley, Lieut.-Col.  Joshua  Lamb,  Nathaniel  Kanny,  Samuel  Green, 
and  Samuel  Tyley,*  be  a Committee  and  fully  authorized  and 


* Samuel  Tyley  had  become  owner  of  a part  of  the  share  formerly  beloiifring  to 
Richard  Draper.  He  was  a notary  public,  and  had  his  oflice  in  King  Street,  IJoston. 
He  became  the  clerk  of  the  proprietors  in  1726. 

3 


18 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


empowered  to  execute  a good  and  sufficient  deed  or  convey- 
ance in  the  law,  by  order  and  in  the  name  of  the  proprietors 
of  Leicester,  for  the  one-half  of  that  township  in  the  eastern 
half,  to  the  first  grantors  and  settlers  thereon  that  performed 
the  condition  of  their  grant,  or  such  persons  as  shall  derive 
and  make  out  title  thereto  from  them  to  the  satisfaction  of 
said  Committee,  to  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  for  ever.’’ 
The  Committee  were  directed  to  except  out  of  their  grant 
a forty-acre  lot  in  contest  between  John  Minzies  and  Samuel 
Prince. 

The  condition  upon  which  the  lots  had  been  granted  was, 
that  one  shilling  per  acre  for  each  house-lot  should  be  paid, 
and  a family  settled  thereon  within  a prescribed  time,  or  the 
same  should  revert  to  the  grantors. 

This  vote  was  not,  however,  carried  into  effect  until  the 
11th  January,  1724,  wheii  a deed  was  executed  of  the  several 
lots,  designated  by  numbers,  to  thirty-seven  different  persons, 
some  of  whom,  by  procuring  other  families  to  settle  upon 
their  allotments,  had  acquired  a right  to  more  than  a single 
lot  each.  A copy  of  this  deed  will  be  found  in  the  Appen- 
dix;"^ and  while  it  contains  the  names  of  persons  who  never 
removed  to  the  town,  and  of  others  who,  though  once  resident 
here,  have  long  disappeared  from  its  records,  there  will  be 
found  upon  it  the  ancestors  of  many  of  the  families  which 
have  constituted  an  important  part  of  the  prominent  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town.  Among  them  Avill  readily  occur  the 
Dennys,  the  Greens,  the  Earles,  the  Henshaws,  the  Sargents, 
the  Livermores,  and  the  Southgates. 

By  the  execution  of  this  deed,  the  connection  between  the 
easterly  and  esterly  portions  of  the  town  was,  in  a good  mea- 
sure, practically  dissolved,  although  they  continued  to  form 
one  municipal  corporation  till  1753.  At  that  time  the  westerly 
part  was  set  off  into  a district,  having  most  of  the  powers  of 


* The  localities  of  the  allotments  may  be  traced  upon  the  annexed  Map. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


19 


a town  except  that  of  choosing  a representative  to  the  Grene- 
ral  Court,  under  the  name  of  Spencer.  It  had  been  erected 
into  a parish  in  1744;  and,  at  the  breaking-out  of  the  Revo- 
lution, the  only  distinction  which  remained  between  its  charac- 
ter as  a district  and  as  a town  was  removed  by  the  right  it 
thereupon  acquired  of  being  represented  in  the  Legislature. 
For  this  reason,  and  because  the  history  of  Spencer  has  already 
been  so  fully  and  faithfully  given  to  the  public  by  the  Hon. 
James  Draper  of  that  town,*  I shall  confine  what  I shall  have 
to  say,  chiefly,  to  that  part  of  the  original  town  which  retained 
its  original  corporate  name  of  Leicester. 


* I am  happy  to  acknowledge  the  use  I have  made  of  the  history  of  ^Ir.  Draper 
in  the  preparation  of  this  work,  to  which  reference  has  been  frequently  had. 


20 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  II. 


BOUNDARIES  AND  TOPOGRAPHICAL  FEATURES  OF  THE  TOWN. — 
STATISTICS  OF  ITS  BUSINESS,  POPULATION,  &c.  — HIGHWAYS. — 
STAGES.  — TRADERS  AND  MANUFACTURERS.  — SLAVERY. 


The  latitude  and  longitude  of  the  town  are  42°  14'  49" 
north,  and  71°  54'  47"  west.  Its  distance  from  Boston  is 
forty-three  miles,  geographically  measured : by  the  travelled 
roads,  it  somewhat  exceeds  that  admeasurement.  From  a sur- 
vey of  the  town  in  1855,  its  north  line,  bounding  on  Paxton, 
runs  north  87°,  west  1,237  rods ; its  west  line,  bounding  upon 
Spencer,  south  |°,  east  2,064  rods;  its  south  line,  bounding 
upon  Charlton,  runs  south  87°,  east  370  rods,  — then  on  Ox- 
ford, in  the  same  course,  360  rods ; its  south-east  line,  bound- 
ing upon  Auburn,  runs  north  40|^°,  east  583  rods,  north  43°, 
east  288  rods,  and  east  156|-  rods  ; its  east  line,  bounding 
on  Worcester,  runs  north  12°,  west  1,338^-  rods.  It  contains 
13,453  acres. 

This  is  what  remains  of  the  settlers’  half  of  the  original 
town,  after  having  had  two  miles  in  width  taken  from  its 
north  side  to  help  to  form  the  town  of  Paxton  in  1765,  and 
about  2,500  acres  from  its  south-east  part  in  1778  to  help 
to  form  the  town  of  Ward,  now  Auburn. 

The  town  is  situate  upon  the  height  of  land  between  Con- 
necticut River  and  the  ocean,  about  a thousand  feet  above 
tide-water,  sloping  towards  the  south;  so  that  the  streams 
of  water  which  flow  from  it  find  their  way  to  the  ocean  by 
three  principal  channels,  — one,  towards  the  west,  through 
Chicopee  and  Connecticut  Rivers  ; one,  towards  the  south. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


21 


tlirougli  French  and  Quinebang  Rivers ; and  one,  towards  the 
south-east,  through  Blackstone  River.  And  so  near  are 
the  sources  of  some  of  the  branches  of  these  streams  in  the 
town,  that,  at  a point  in  the  westerly  part  of  it,  the  Great 
Road  to  Spencer  separates  the  waters  that  flow  into  the  Chi- 
copee from  those  which  floAv  into  the  Quinebang ; and  at 
the  foot  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill,  east  of  the  principal  vil- 
lage, the  waters  upon  the  south  side  of  the  Great  Road  flow 
into  the  Quinebang,  while  those  upon  its  north  side  find 
their  way  into  the  Blackstone. 

Though  the  face  of  the  territory  is  generally  uneven,  and 
in  parts  hilly,  it  does  not  rise  into  any  considerable  peaks, 
nor  are  any  of  its  hills  rugged  or  abrupt.  Some  of  these 
have  received  names,  which,  in  some  instances,  they  have 
borne  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  town.  Among  them,  I 
may  mention  that  upon  which  the  principal  village  is  built. 
It  was  for  many  years,  as  one  of  the  early  deeds  of  the 
estates  shows,  called  Strawbrnuy^HiJl.  It  was  here  the  first 
settlement  was  begun;  and  a house  standing  where  that  of 
Mr.  May  now  stands  was  one  of  the  first,  and  probably  the 
first,  erected  in  townj^and  was  built  upon  the  lot  numbered 
one  ” in  the  deed  above  referred  to. 

In  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  a little  north-west  from 
the  village  of  Cherry  Yalley,  is  another  eminence,  called 
Bald  Hill  in  the  earliest  records  of  the  town,  from  the  cir- 
cumstance that  it  had  been  cleared  and  cultivated  before 
the  white  men  settled  here. 

The  elevation  east  of  this,  adjoining  the  town  of  Worcester, 
was  known  as  Chestnut  Hill,  and  was  first  settled  by  Nathan 
Sargent. 

Mount  Pleasant  lies  about  a mile  west  of  the  Meeting-house. 
There  is  an  engraving,  in  one  of  the  numbers  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Magazine  ” published  in  1794,  representing  what  is 
called  Mount  Pleasant  in  Leicester,  the  property  of  the  late 
Thomas  Stickney,  as  seen  from  the  Academy.”  This  estate 


22 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


was  once  a princely  one,  and  was  owned  and  occupied  awhile 
by  the  late  Major  Swan,  formerly  of  Boston,  who  died  a few 
years  since  in  France.  It  had  gone  sadly  to  decay,  however, 
when  taken  possession  of  by  its  late  thrifty  proprietor,  Mr. 
Oliver  Smith. 

About  three-quarters  of  a mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house 
is  a considerable  elevation,  which  has  from  an  early  date  been 
called  Carey  Hill.  Tradition  has  fixed  it  as  the  spot  upon 
which  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  found  a hermit  dwelling 
in  a cave  ; but  we  are  left  to  conjecture  alone,  as  to  who 
it  was  that  had  sought  to  escape  from  the  troubles  of  life 
by  burrowing  in  the  earth  here,  amidst  the  primeval  forest 
which  then  covered  this  region.  The  hill  undoubtedly  took 
its  name  from  Arthur  Carey,  who  was  the  first  to  settle  upon 
it.  It  formed  a part  of  lot  No.  5,  which  bounded  upon  the 
north  by  lot  6,  the  one  reserved  for  the  ministry. 

Moose  Hill  is  one  of  the  highest  in  the  town,  and  lies  at  its 
north-west  corner.  For  the  remainder  of  these,  I must  again 
refer  to  the  annexed  Map. 

From  several  of  these  elevations,  wide  and  beautiful  pano- 
ramic views  of  the  surrounding  country  may  be  obtained. 
That  from  the  mansion-house  formerly  standing  upon  the 
,^enny_IhTm,  so  many  }mars  in  that  family,"^  formed  the  sub- 
ject of  a landscape  by  Ralph  Earle,  a distinguished  native 
artist  of  the  town,  who  is  elsewhere  noticed  in  this  work  ; 
which  was  a production  of  much  merit.  It  is  still  in  possession 
of  the  family  of  the  former  proprietor  of  the  estate,  and,  in 
its  details  as  well  as  its  outlines,  is  suggestive  of  the  changes 
which  the  actual  landscape  has  witnessed  in  the  multiplied 
villages  which  have  sprung  up  since  the  day  of  the  artist’s 
sketch  of  what  then  met  the  eye  of  an  observer. 

In  respect  to  ponds  and  streams  of  water,  the  elevated 
situation  of  the  town  prevents  either  from  being  of  any  great 


* This  hill  was  fornierU'  known  as  Nurse’s,  afterwards  as  Raccoon  Hill. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


23 


raagnitiicle,  since  it  is  chiefly  the  head-waters  of  the  streams 
flowing  from  the  town  that  are  found  here.  Two  of  these 
natural  ponds,  only,  have  been  distinguished  by  name,  and 
these  have  been  changed  from  time  to  time. 

That  collection  of  water,  containing  about  forty-three  acres, 
lying  about  a mile  south-east  from  the  Meeting-house,  was 
formerly  called  the  Judge’s  Pond,  from  being  upon  the  farm 
of  Judge  Menzies,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town.  It 
has  been  known  as  HenshaAV  Pond  since  the  adjacent  farm  has 
been  owned  by  the  family  of  that  name. 

The  other  lies  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  and  Avas 
at  one  time  knoAATi  as  North  Pond  ; but  aftei'Avards  took  that 
of  ShaAv,  from  the  OAvner  of  land  upon  its  borders. 

SeA^eral  artificial  ponds,  of  considerable  magnitude,  have 
been  created  for  purposes  of  reseiwoirs  for  the  operation  of 
mills.  One  of  these,  called  Burntcoat,  contains  oA^er  a hun- 
dred acres.  Another,  just  beloAv  it,  occupies  the  ground 
formerly  one  of  the  large  cedar  meadoAA’s  of  the  toAvn.  The 
ToAAm  MeadoAv  has  been  floAved  for  many  years  past ; and  a 
succession  of  reservoirs  upon  Kettle  Brook,  so  called,  has 
created  a supply  of  Avater  for  that  stream,  sufficient  to  carry 
several  important  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  toAvn. 

The  last-named  brook  takes  its  rise  in  Paxton,  and,  floAAu'ng 
through  the  easterly  part  of  the  toAAm,  discharges  itself  into 
Blackstone  Biver,  in  Worcester. 

The  changes  Avhich  have  been  made  in  this  stream  by  these 
artificial  reservoirs,  and  their  effect  upon  the  business  and 
prosperity  of  the  toAvn,  are  some  of  the  many  illustrations, 
Avhich  are  found  all  over  NeAv  England,  of  AAdiat  may  be  done 
for  the  country  by  a proper  encouragement  of  her  industrial 
interests.  Within  my  oavii  recollection,  the  only  AA^orks  upon 
Kettle  Brook,  A\dthin  the  toAvn,  Avere  a little  cheap  saAvmill, 
standing  Avhere  the  AAmollen  mill  of  Mr.  Hodges  stands  ; a small 
gristmill..bcloiUj;.ing  to  the  late  Mr.  John  Sai:i:;aiLty. avhere  tlie 
Avoollen  mill  late  of  Mr.  Capron  stands;  and  a small  clothier’s 


24 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


shop,  where  Mr.  Watson^s  woollen  mill,  which  was  burned, 
stood:  and  so  small  was  the  quantity  of  water  flowing  in  it, 
that  it  was  nearly  dry  most  of  the  summer  months.  Since  that, 
flve  woollen  factories,  three  of  them  of  a large  size,  besides 
several  smaller  mills,  have  been  erected  upon  it,  having  an 
adequate  supply  of  water,  and  giving  employment  to  a large 
number  of  operatives,  and,  under  proper  encouragement,  earn- 
ing wealth  for  their  owners,  and  contributing  generally  to  the 
growth  and.  prosperity  and  the  enhanced  value  of  property 
of  the  town. 

This  may  be  no  place  in  which  to  discuss  political  eco- 
nomy ; but  the  wisdom  of  that  policy  which  protects  home 
industry  needs  no  better  illustration  than  what  is  furnished 
in  the  history  of  the  rise,  progress,  and  results  of  manu- 
factures in  this  town.  The  first  attempt  to  introduce  the 
manufacture  of  woollen  cloth  was  made  by  Mr.  Samuel  Wat- 
son, at  a little  factory  he  erected  upon  the  site  of  his  clo- 
thier’s Avorks,  on  Kettle  Brook,  in  1814.  The  manufacture 
of  cards  had  been  carried  on  by  hand  for  many  years  previous 
to  that  time  : but  the  town  had  been  chiefly  an  agricultural 
one  ; and  its  streams  of  water,  in  a great  measure,  had 
run  to  Avaste,  though  capable,  as  has  been  shoAAm,  of  doing 
the  labor  of  a hundred  men.  The  effect  of  the  changes 
Avhich  Avere  from  time  to  time  introduced,  by  this  means,  into 
the  industry  of  the  town,  Avill  appear  Avhen  Ave  come  to  con- 
sider more  minutely  the  history  of  these  changes,  and  the 
progress  of  the  statistics  of  its  business. 

To  recur  to  the  principal  streams  flowing  from  the  toAvn. 
The  AA^aters  of  ShaAv  Pond  form  one  of  the  sources  of  the 
Chicopee.  Those  from  Burntcoat  and  HenshaAv  Ponds  unite, 
and  form  the  source  of  French  RiA^er,  floAvung  through  Ox- 
ford into  the  Quinebaug.  The  AA^aters  from  the  Town  Mea- 
doAv  take  the  same  direction,  and  unite  AAuth  those  from  the 
Burntcoat  aboA^e  Greenville,  in  the  southerly  part  of  the 
town.  The  capacity  of  these  streams,  and  the  amount  of 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


25 


business  done  upon  them,  will  be  spoken  of  in  another  con- 
nection. 

As  has  already  been  observed,  the  early  settlers  of  this 
town  were  farmers.  The  soil,  though  yielding  good  crops 
under  proper  cultivation  and  care,  must  have  been  rugged, 
and  difficult  to  till ; and  does  not  seem  to  have  been  very 
attractive  to  new  emigrants.  It  was  thirty-eight  years  after 
the  purchase  from  the  Indians,  and  eleven  after  the  erection 
of  the  territory  into  a township,  before  the  requisite  num- 
ber of  fifty  families  had  been  settled  within  the  easterly  half 
of  the  town. 

The  subsequent  growth  of  the  town  was  for  many  years 
slow.  Indeed,  such  continued  to  be  the  case  until  the  intro- 
duction of  other  employments  than  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

A census  was  taken  between  the  years  1763  and  1765  ; at 
which  time,  the  town,  which  then  included  a part  of  Paxton 
and  a part  of  Auburn,  contained  but  119  houses  and  146  fami- 
lies, forming  a total  population  of  763  souls.  This  was  an 
increase  of  less  than  a hundred  families  in  the  space  of  forty 
years,  and  that  within  the  first  half-century  of  its  settlement. 

In  1776,  the  numb&r  of  inhabitants  had  increased  to  1,078  ; 
but  — probably  in  consequence  of  the  drain  of  the  war,  in 
part  — there  was  no  increase  in  numbers  between  that  time 
and  1784.  In  1786,'^  there  had  been  a decrease  of  white 
inhabitants,  though  the  blacks  had  increased  from  seven,  in 
1765,  to  twenty-four.  The  census  of  1790  showed  a total  of 
1,076,  — two  less  than  in  1776  : and  the  successive  censuses 
of  1800,  when  there  were  1,103  ; 1810,  Avhen  1,181 ; and  1820, 
when  1,252,  — indicated  but  a slow  growth.  The  whole  in- 
crease from  1776  to  1820  was  only  174  in  forty-four  years,  or 
a trifle  over  sixteen  per  cent;  while  that  of  the  State  as  a 
whole,  including  Maine,  was  over  ninety-nine  per  cent.  From 


* One  contemporary  statement  mentions  the  number  of  white  persons  in  1786  as 
being  only  814. 


4 


26 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


tills  time  there  was  a much  more  satisfactory  increase  both 
of  population  and  wealth.  In  1830,  the  former  had  grown  to 
1,782  : and,  in  1850,  the  United-States  Census  showed  a total 
of  2,269  ; viz.,  1,169  white  males,  1,099  white  females,  and 
only  one  colored  person,  — a female.  The  population  of  the 
town,  by  the  State  Census  of  1855,  was  2,589."^ 

The  reports  of  the  valuation  of  the  property  of  the  town, 
at  different  periods,  is  equally  indicative  of  the  causes  of  its 
wealth  and  prosperity  ; although,  probably,  some  allowance 
is  to  be  made  for  the  difierence  in  the  standard  of  value  of 
certain  classes  of  property  within  the  period  referred  to. 
In  1790,  the  valuation  of  the  town  was,  in  round  numbers, 
$140,000;  in  1800,  $182,000;  in  1810,  $229,900;  in  1830, 
$461,000  ; in  1840,  $687,952;  and  in  1850,  $1,219,330:  show- 
ing an  increase  for  twenty  years  — between  1790  and  1810  — 
of  a little  less  than  sixty-four  per  cent;  while  for  twenty 
years — from  1810  to  1830  — the  increase  was  more  than 
a hundred  per  cent;  and,  from  1830  to  1855,  more  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  per  cent. 

The  relative  growth  and  consideration  of  the  town  may 
be  measured  by  comparing  it  with  other  towns  in  the  county 
at  different  periods  within  the  time  which  we  have  been 
considering. 

In  1800  it  stood,  in  the  matter  of  population,  the  twenty- 
fifth  town  in  the  county,  in  1810  the  twenty-fifth,  in  1820 
the  thirtieth,  in  1830  the  fifteenth,  in  1850  the  seventeenth, 
and  in  1855  the  fifteenth.! 


* The  increase  of  population  for  forty-four  years  before  1820  averaged,  within  a 
fraction,  four  a year.  For  thirty-five  years  before  1855,  it  was  a fraction  over  thirty 
eight  a year,  upon  an  average. 

t To  apply  the  test  of  valuation  at  an  earlier  period:  the  town  stood,  in  1772,  the 
twentieth  in  the  county;  in  1778,  the  thirty-third;  so  heavy  had  been  the  drain  upon 
her  resources  during  the  war.  In  1782  she  had  risen  to  the  twenty-second  place,  in 
1786  to  the  nineteenth,  and  in  1793  to  the  eighteentli,  in  polls  and  valuation.  In  1801, 
in  proportionate  taxes,  she  remained  the  eighteenth;  and  the  same  in  1811:  but  in 
1840  she  had  increased  to  the  ninth,  and  in  1850  to  the  seventh,  place  in  the  scale  of 
valuation  of  the  towns  iii  the  county. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


27 


It  was,  as  will  appear,  during  the  latter  portion  of  the  time 
covered  by  these  statistics,  that  the  manufacture  of  woollen 
cloths  by  water-power  took  its  rise  in  the  town.  But,  before 
entering  upon  that  part  of  our  subject,  it  mtiy  be  pleasant  to 
test,  with  such  means  as  I have  before  me,  the  social  con- 
dition of  the  people  of  the  town  at  an  earlier  period  of  its 
history,  compared  with  the  present. 

One  means  of  doing  this  is  by  referring  to  a tax  which  was 
laid  upon  carriages  in  the  years  1753  to  1757,  inclusive,  to 
promote  the  success  of  manufactures,  especially  of  linen.  In 
the  first  of  these  years,  there  were  four  chairs  ” in  town  to 
he  taxed ; but  before  the  next  year  these  had  disappeared,-, 
and,  from  that  year  until  after  1757,  there  was  no  carriage  of 
any  description  in  town.  Indeed,  the  use  of  carriages  is 
practically  a modern  matter.  There  are  persons  alive  who 
saw  the  first  buggy-wagon  that  was  owned  in  town,  and  pil- 
lions had  not  disappeared  till  some  now  upon  the  stage  had 
grown  into  manhood.'^ 

Something  may  be  judged  of  the  style  in  which  the  people 
of  the  town  lived  by  recurring  to  the  inventories  of  estates, 
as  found  in  the  Probate  Office,  at  any  given  period.  To  two 
or  three  of  these  I reTer  for  that  purpose. 

Dr.  Lawton,  a physician  of  respectable  business  and  repu- 
tation in  his  profession,  died  here  in  1761.  His  estate  was 
appraised  at  £317.  8s.  6d.  His  books  were  appraised  at 
£2.  4s.  Gd.,  besides  his  law-books,  which  had  probably  come 
to  him  from  his  father,  an  attorney-at-law,  and  were  appraised 


* The  first  bu^gy-wa^on  that  I ever  saw,  and  I believe  it  to  have  been  the  first 
ever  owned  in  town,  belonged  to  Capt.  William  Sprague  about  1810.  There  had  been 
a few  chaises  in  use  in  town  at  an  earlier  day.  I have  often  heard  a lady,  now 
deceased,  describe  a journey  which  she  made  to  Vermont  from  Leicester  witli  her 
husband,  on  horseback.  She  rode  and  guided  her  hoi'se,  and  carried  a child  two  years 
old  in  her  lap,  who  was  born  in  1788.  It  was  the  only  mode  of  travelling  then  to  be 
had  in  the  country.  It  was  one  step  in  the  progress  of  luxury  when  it  became  a 
matter  of  haul  ton  for  a young  geiitleman  to  furnish  a separate  horse,  instead  of 
a pillion,  for  the  use  of  the  lady  whom  he  should  invite  to  be  his  partner  to  a ball  or 
party. 


28 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


at  5s.  3(1.  His  silver  plate  was  valued  at  £4.  15s.  4d. ; and 
two  looking-g’lasses,  all  he  had,  were  valued  at  12s.  While 
he  had  an  hour-glass  and  a pillion,  he  had  neither  watch, 
clock,  nor  carpet  of  any  kind. 

Israel  Parsons  died  in  1767.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Parsons,  and  a grantee  of  all  his  father’s  estate,  real  or 
personal.  He  was  once  a large  landholder ; and,  at  his  death, 
his  farm  was  appraised  at  £240.  He  left  two  looking-glasses 
among  his  household  goods,  — one  valued  at  32s.,  the  other 
at  10s.  8d.;  but  he  left  neither  watch,  clock,  nor  carpet. 

Dr.  Lamed,  a young  physician  of  considerable  promise,  died 
here  in  1783;  and  his  physical  authors,”  as  they  are  called 
in  his  inventory,  were  appraised  at  16s.  3d.* 

Indeed,  as  may  be  remarked  hereafter,  the  general  use  of 
carpets  is  of  a modern  date  ; while,  in  the  matter  of  books,  the 
change  has  been  greater  than  in  almost  any  other  thing.  I 
am  authorized  by  a friend  f to  add,  that  the  first  carpets 
woven  in  Leicester  were  the  handiwork  of  Mrs.  David  Briant, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  present  century. J 


* I might  add  to  the  above  the  inventory  of  Stewart  Southgate,  who  died  in  1765, 
and  was  a man  of  property,  engaged  largely  as  a surveyor  and  in  public  business. 
It  contains  no  article  of  glass,  china,  or  earthenware;  a single  silver  spoon,  valued  at 
11s. ; three  looking-glasses,  valued  altogether  at  7s.  6d. ; a clock ; but  no  carpet.  He  had 
one  Bailey’s  Dictionary,  one  Bible,  and  thirty-eight  small  pamphlets,  for  a library. 

The  inventory  of  Rev.  ^Ir.  Goddard  shows  the  gratifying  fact,  that  he  left  books 
valued  at  £32.  6s.  lid.  in  1754,  while  all  his  other  “in-door  movables’’  were  only 
£60.  3s.  3d. 

t H.  G.  Henshaw,  Esq. 

J I know  not  how  I can  better  illustrate  the  style  of  social  life  among  what  were 
regarded  as  comfortable,  well-to-do  farmers,  in  1780,  than  by  transcribing  a memoran- 
dum, left  by  the  father  of  a respectable  family  of  that  day,  of  what  he  furnished  to  a 
daughter  on  her  marriage,  with  which  to  begin  “to  keep  house:  ’’  “ One  cow;  one  low 
case  of  drawers;  twelve  chairs,  one  great  one;  one  square  table,  and  tea  do.;  one  bed, 
bedstead,  and  cord;  one  coverlid;  thirty  yards  of  sheeting;  one  bed-quilt;  twenty-four 
yards  bed-ticking;  one  large  kettle,  and  dish  kettle,  and  tea  do.;  one  set  of  tea-dishes; 
one  teapot;  three  pewter  platters;  six  pewter  plates;  one  quart  pot;  one  case  knives 
and  forks;  six  earthen  plates;  two  quart  basins;  two  pint  do.;  two  porringers;  one 
pot,  spider,  and  skillet;  two  tul)s;  one  churn;  two  pails;  six  wooden  platters;  one 
candlestick;  one  slice  and  tongs;  one  set  flat-irons;  six  teaspoons;  six  large  ones; 
one  sieve;  one  bread  trough;  one  pillion.’’ 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


29 


If  we  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  mechanic  arts,  and  the 
arts  as  applied  to  manufactures,  in  various  stages  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  town,  we  shall  find  that  it  was  a long  time  before 
any  beyond  the  most  common  and  indispensable  mechanics 
were  to  be  found  here. 

Closes  Stockbridge,  for  instance,  was  a carpenter,  and  was 
residing  here  in  1717 ; John  Potter  and  Nathaniel  Potter,  car- 
penters, in  1722;  Abiathar  Vinton  was  a blacksmith  here  in 
1723 ; Joshua  Nichols  was  a tailor  here  as  early  as  1721 ; and 
Thomas  Hopkins  was  a mason  in  1721.  Millwrights  were 
employed  here  about  the  same  time ; and  there  were  doubt- 
less other  mechanics,  and  in  other  departments,  than  those  I 
have  enumerated. 

The  first  settlers  were  farmers  ; and,  like  others  of  that 
class  generally  in  New  England,  the  clothing  of  their  families 
was  principally  of  domestic  manufacture.  Probably  no  house 
Avas  destitute  of  a spinning-wheel  or  a loom,  and  few  families 
that  did  not  understand  more  or  less  of  the  art  of  dyeing  the 
fabrics  Avhich  they  Avove.  Cotton  was  unknoAAm  till  a com-y 
paratively  recent  date ; and  feAv  could  indulge  in  the  luxury 
of  India  cotton  ” cloths,  for  which  they  must  pay  some  fouA 
or  five  shillings  the -yard,  though  ^ they  would  not  noAv  sell 
for  as  many  cents,  if  they  Avould  sell  at  all.  They  could  clip 
from  their  OAvn  flocks  the  avooI  they  consumed,  and  could 
raise  the  flax,  which  they  understood  hoAv  to  Avork  into  linen 
of  the  purest  Avhite.  It  was  from  home-made  fabrics  Avrought 
from  these  that  the  diligent  liouseAvife  prepared  the  wardrobe 
of  the  family. 

One  of  the  early  improvements  upon  this  state  of  things 
Avas  the  substitution  of  carding  the  avooI  by  machinery 
driven  by  Avater-power,  for  the  former  mode  of  doing  it  by 
hand  ; and  a more  fastidious  taste  in  the  coloring  and  finish- 


* I find  a bill  of  articles  purchased  in  Boston  for  the  use  of  a family  in  I.eiccster  in 
November,  1788;  and  among  them  one  pound  of  tea,  2s.  4d.;  and  n pmindnf  ivtiun,  2s. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


ing  cloths  led  to  the  establishment  of  clothiers  among  the 
handicrafts  of  the  town.  But  the  progress  .of  improvement 
in  machinery,  and  the  introduction  of  manufactures  by  means 
of  this,  long  since  expelled  these  household  institutions  of  a 
former  day,  till  a loom  and  a spinning-wheel  have  become  the 
curious  relics  of  rustic  antiquity.* 

As  has  already  been  stated,  Mr.  Samuel  Watson  had  a 
clothier’s  shop,  in  which  he  carried  on  business,  in  what  is 
now  called  Cherry  Valley,  previous  to  1814.  At  this  time 
he  enlarged  his  works,  and  began  the  manufacture  of  woollen 
cloth.  His  weaving  was  done  by  hand  ; and  the  employment 
of  men  in  what  had  been  before  regarded  as  within  the  pecu- 
liar province  of  females,  in  the  arrangement  of  household 
affairs,  was  looked  upon,  by  those  who  were  not  familiar  with 
the  processes  of  manufacture  elsewhere,  in  something  the 
same  light  in  which  people  would  now  regard  a man  mantua- 
maker  or  milliner  shaping  and  fitting  ladies’  dresses,  or  putting 
the  finishing  touch  to  a bonnet  or  a cap.  By  the  revulsion 
of  business  Avhich  took  place  a few  years  after  the  Avar,  Mr. 
Watson  AAms  led  to  lease  his  establishment  to  Mr.  James 
Anderton,  Avho  had  been  bred  a Avoollen  manufacturer  in  Lan- 
cashire, England.  He  occupied  the  mill  for  a feAv  years,  and 
then  disposed  of  his  interest  to  a countryman  of  his  oaaui,  — 
Mr.  Thomas  Bottomly,  — Av^ho  continued  to  carrj^  on  the  busi- 
ness there  until  1825. 

While  occupying  this  mill,  Mr.  Bottomly  erected  the  Avorks 
noAv  oAvned  by  Samuel  L.  Hodges,  Esq.,  upon  the  same  stream, 
and  just  beloAv  the  mill  of  Mr.  Watson,  upon  land  A\diich  he 
purchased  of  Capt.  Darius  Cutting. 


* The  fir.=5t  clotliier  in  town  was,  I have  reason  to  believe,  Alexander  Parkman,  who 
came  from  Westborono;!!  in  1770.  In  1771,  he  purchased  the  mill  and  privilefie  where 
Samuel  Watson  afterwards  carried  on  the  business,  in  Cherry  Valley.  He  carried  on 
the  business  till  after  1776,  and  was  succeeded  by  Asahel  AVashburn,  jun.,  a son  of  a 
nephew  of  Seth,  about  1794.  Mr.  AVashburn  left  Leicester,  and  removed  to  Greens- 
borough  in  A'ermont,  about  1797.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Samuel  Watson.  Mr.  Wash- 
burn’s son,  of  the  same  name,  born  in  Leicester,  is  a clergyman  in  Suffield,  Conn. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


31 


After  a few  years,  an  incorporated  company,  taking  the 
name  of  the  Bottomly  Manufacturing  Company,  purchased 
this  estate,  and  carried  on  business  there  for  several  years 
under  the  superintendence  of  the  former  owner. 

Mr.  Bottomly  then  purchased  the  site  of  a gristmill,  formerly 
owned  by  Mr.  John  Sargent,  and  in  1837  proceeded  to  erect 
a manufacturing  establishment,  which  was  afterwards  sold  to 
Mr.  Effingham  L.  Capron,  who  carried  on  the  same  for  several 
3^ears.  Since  liis  death  it  has  passed  into  other  hands,  and  is 
called  the  Manhattan  Company. 

Mr.  Bottomly,  in  connection  with  his  son  Booth,  in  1850, 
purchased  a privilege  something  like  half  a mile  above  the 
Great  Road,  upon  the  same  stream,  and  erected  a brick 
factory  thereon ; in  which  the  son  has  been  carrying  on  the 
woollen  business,  and  which  now  belongs  to  him. 

Besides  these,  there  is,  at  what  is  called  Mannville,  near 
the  Quaker  Meeting-house,  upon  the  same  stream,  a consider- 
able woollen  mill  belonging  to  Messrs.  Mann  and  Marshall, 
giving  an  unwonted  air  of  life  and  prosperity  to  that  neigh- 
borhood ; and,  close  by  the  Great  Road  in  Cherry  Talley,  Mr. 
L.  G.  Dickson  has  a small  woollen  mill  standing  upon  the 
site  of  a former  one'which  he  had  erected  and  which  was 
burned.  These,  with  a sawmill  about  a mile  above  Mann- 
ville, another  near  the  Quaker  Meeting-house,  and  one  about 
half  a mile  below,  upon  the  farm  of  the  late  Capt.  Daniel 
Kent,  are  operated  by  the  waters  of  a stream  once  as  incon- 
siderable as  already  stated. 

Up  to  1821,  the  only  works  upon  the  stream  flowing  from 
Burncoat  Pond  were  a grist  and  saw  mill  near  that  pond, 
formerly  belonging  to  Luke  Converse ; the  tan-works  of 
Mr.  Jonathan  Warren,  a mile,  more  or  less,  below;  a little 
sawmill  belonging  to  Mr.  Elkanah  Haven,  half  a mile  or 
more  below  that  ; a saw  and  grist  mill  at  what  is  now 
Greenville  ; a scythe  manuflictory  near  to  these,  then  called 
Walks  ^lills  ; and  a small  cotton  factory,  which  Mr.  Thomas 


32 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Scott  had  erected  near  the  turnpike^  in  what  is  now  Clapp- 
ville. 

In  that  year,  Mr.  Anderton,  above  mentioned,  purchased 
the  mill  and  privilege  of  Mr.  Scott,  and  began  the  business  of 
woollen  manufacture.  It  proved  to  be  a valuable  privilege ; 
and  a company  was  formed,  which  was  incorporated  as  the 
Leicester  Manufacturing  Company,  and  enlarged  the  esta- 
blishment and  extended  the  business.  This  corporation 
became  united  with  one  in  Framingham  called  the  Saxon 
Manufactory,  which  took  the  joint  name  of  the  two ; and  the 
business  was  thus  carried  on  for  several  years. 

The  works  in  Leicester  were  then  purchased  by  Mr.  Joshua 
Clapp  of  Boston,  afterwards  a public-spirited  citizen  of 
Leicester,  who  gave  his  name  to  the  village  which  had 
grown  up  around  these  works,  and  which  it  still  retains. 
Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Clapp,  the  establishment  has  been 
owned  and  carried  on  until  recently  by  Reuben  S.  Denny, 
Esq.;  and,  as  a part  of  its  history,  it  may  be  stated,  that  three 
of  the  mills  belonging  to  it  have  been  destroyed  by  fire  and 
rebuilt  within  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen  years. 

There  was  a branch  of  manufacture  commenced  by  Mr. 
Edmond  Snow  in  the  town,  in  1785,  consisting  of  making 
hand-cards,  chiefly  for  the  carding  of  wool  for  spinning  for 
domestic  use.  It  was,  in  fact,  the  dawn  of  a brightening 
day  of  prosperity  to  the  town,  to  which  it  owes  more  of  its 
growth  and  wealth  than  might  at  first  be  supposed. 

The  work,  at  first  and  for  many  years,  was  done  by  hand, 
by  the  aid  of  such  improved  machinery  as  ingenuity  from 
time  to  time  supplied.  Mr.  Pliny  Earle,  at  an  early  day, 
engaged  in  the  business ; and  it  owed  much  of  its  success 
to  his  inventive  skill. 

Samuel  Slater,  the  well-known  father  of  the  manufacture 
of  cotton  in  America,  was  about  commencing  the  experiment, 
but  could  not  find  machinery  in  the  country  suitable  to  his 
use,  and  was  obliged  to  procure  it  to  be  made  as  best  he 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


33 


could.  This  was  about  1790.  Among  other  things  that 
he  found  it  difficult  to  procure,  were  cards  to  clothe  the 
machines  by  which  he  was  to  prepare  his  cotton  for  the 
spindle.  After  applying,  without  success,  to  several,  he  had 
an  interview  with  Mr.  Earle,  who  undertook  to  furnish  the 
desired  article  ; which  he  succeeded  in  doing.  But,  to  accom- 
plish this,  he  had  to  prick  the  holes  in  the  leather,  into 
which  the  teeth  were  to  be  inserted,  by  hand,  with  a couple 
of  needles  fitted  and  fastened  into  a handle.  It  was  by  cards 
thus  manufactured  that  the  first  cotton  ever  spun  in  America 
by  machinery  was  prepared  for  the  spindle. 

This  led  to  the  invention  of  the  machine,  long  in  use  here, 
for  pricking  ‘‘  twilled  cards,  for  which  Mr.  Pliny  Earle 
obtained  letters-patent.  It  is  almost  incredible,  now  that 
machines  carried  by  water  or  other  power  for  accomplishing 
the  processes  have  become  so  common,  that  cards,  in  some 
years,  to  the  value  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  could 
have  been  produced  in  this  town,  in  the  manufacture  of 
which  every  operation  — from  giving  motion  to  the  machines 
which  pricked  the  leather  and  cut  the  teeth,  to  the  setting 
of  these,  tooth  by  tooth,  into  the  card  — w'as  performed  by 
hand  ; and  yet  such  "is  well  known  to  have  been  the  case. 
The  importance  of  this  branch  of  business  to  the  town,  and 
its  connection  with  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  place, 
will,  it  is  believed,  justify,  if  it  do  not  call  for,  a more  minute 
account  of  its  details,  as  well  as  of  its  recent  condition,  than 
might  at  first  appear  to  be  consistent  with  the  plan  of  the 
work. 

The  manufacture,  at  first,  was  confined  to  hand-cards  ; and, 
as  has  been  stated,  was  begun  by  Mr.  Edmund  Snow  in  1785. 
That  of  machine-cards  was  added  in  1790  ; and  both  were 
made  in  the  same  establishment,  until  the  recent  improve- 
ments in  machinery  which  led  to  a separation  of  the  busi- 
ness. 

Tlie  manufacture  of  machine-cards  was  begun  by  Mr.  Pliny 

5 


34 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Earle.  In  1791,  he  associated  his  brothers  Jonah  and  Silas 
with  him  in  business,  under  the  firm  of  “ Pliny  Earle  and  Bro- 
thers.’^ This  continued  till  near  his  death  in  1832.  Silas 
Earle  carried  on  business  in  his  own  name  from  1815  till  his 
death  in  1842. 

Col.  Thomas  Denny  began  the  manufacture  of  hand-cards, 
in  connection  with  William  Earle,  in  the  south-east  part  of  the 
town,  but  removed  to  the  village  in  1802,  and  commenced 
manufacturing  machine-cards  in  a building  which  stood  where 
that  occupied  by  the  Bank  now  stands  ; where  he  also  kept 
the  Post  Office,  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Adams.  He  manu- 
factured both  kinds  of  cards  extensively,  with  great  success, 
till  his  death  in  1814;  and  had  thereby  become  the  wealthiest 
individual  in  town. 

Winthrop  Earle  occupied  a part  of  the  dwelling-house  in 
which  Col.  Denny  lived,  and  began  the  manufacture  of 
machine-cards  in  the  same  in  1802.  He  afterwards  built  a 
factory  in  rear  of  Col.  Denny’s,  and  carried  on  business  there 
till  his  death  in  1807.  The  business  was  continued  by  Mr. 
John  Woodcock,  a very  ingenious  mechanic,  who  had  removed 
into  town  from  Butland  in  1805.  He  was  born  in  Easton, 
Mass.,  in  1775.  A machine  which  he  invented,  and  for  which 
he  obtained  letters-patent,  for  reducing  the  leather  used  in  the 
manufacture  of  cards  to  a uniform  thickness  by  a very  simple 
and  speedy  process,  was  of  immense  advantage  to  the  busi- 
ness generally  ; and  the  debt  which  the  town  owes  to  his 
ingenuity  ought  not  to  be  forgotten. 

In  1808,  Mrs.  Earle  having  married  Alpheus  Smith,  he 
became  a partner  with  Mr.  Woodcock,  under  the  firm  of 
Woodcock  and  Smith.”  The  building  in  which  they  carried 
on  business  was  removed  to  the  west  side  of  the  Hotel,  — 
where  Capt.  Cutting’s  hat-shop  had  formerly  stood,  — now 
occupied  by  the  brick  store  standing  there  ; and,  in  1812, 
James  Smith,  Esq.,  who  had  come  from  Rutland  a few  years 
before,  became  a member  of  the  firm.  If  I were  at  liberty  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


35 


speak  of  living  persons  as  I might  wish,  I conld  draw  a ready 
illustration,  from  the  private  history  of  this  gentleman,  of  the 
success  with  which  a diligent  and  honorable  pursuit  of  this 
department  of  industry  has  so  often  been  crowned  in  this  com- 
munity. The  business  went  on  in  the  same  name,  though  Mr. 
Woodcock  had  sold  his  interest  in  1813,  till  the  next  year ; 
when  Alpheus  Smith  withdrew,  and  John  A.  Smith,  Esq.,  and 
Eufus,  his  brothers,  took  his  place,  and  the  style  of  the  firm 
became  “ James  and  John  A.  Smith  and  Company.’^  Mr. 
Woodcock  died  about  this  time  ; leaving  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  and  a handsome  competence  earned  in  his  business. 
His  son  John,  with  Hiram  Knight,  Esq.,  and  Emory  Drury, 
joined  the  firm  of  James  and  John  A.  Smith  ” in  1825.  Rufus 
Smith  having  died  in  1818,  Mr.  Drury  left  it  in  1829,  Mr. 
John  A.  Smith  in  1830,  and  Mr.  James  Smith  in  1833.  In  1848, 
Messrs.  Woodcock  and  Knight  took  in  their  sons,  Theodore  E. 
and  Dexter;  and  the  business  is  still  continued  in  the  name 
of  Woodcock,  Knight,  and  Company.’’ 

Jonathan  Earle  commenced  business  at  his  residence  on 
Mount  Pleasant  in  1804,  and  continued  it  till  his  death  in 
1813. 

Isaac  Southgate  and  Henry  Sargent,  whose  names  stand 
prominent  among  the  men  whose  enterprise  and  public  spirit 
have  done  so  much  for  the  town,  began  business  in  1810, 
under  the  firm  of  ‘‘  Southgate  and  Sargent.”  In  1812,  Col. 
Sargent  withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  in  1814  took  in  his 
brother,  Joseph  D.  Sargent,  as  a partner.  The  latter  left  in 
1819,  and  the  former  continued  the  business  till  the  time 
of  his  death  in  1829. 

From  1812  to  1826,  Capt.  Southgate  was  in  business  alone, 
but  in  that  year  formed  a connection  with  Joshua  Lamb, 
Dwight  Bisco,  Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq.,  and  John  Stone,  under 
the  firm  of  Isaac  Southgate  and  Company.”  ^Ir.  Stone  died 
in  1827.  In  1828,  the  partners  erected  tlie  large  factory  now 
standing  in  rear  of  the  fleeting-house.  Mr.  Lamb  left  the  firm 


36 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


in  1831,  and  Capt.  Sonthgate  in  1843.  In  1857,  Charles  A., 
the  son  of  Mr.  Denny,  and  George,  a son  of  Mr.  Bisco,  be- 
came, and  still  are,  partners  with  their  fathers,  under  the 
firm  of  Bisco  and  Denny.’’ 

Col.  Joseph  D.  Sargent  continued  in  business  until  his  death 
in  1849  ; Silas  Jones,  Esq.,  Nathan  Ainsworth,  and  William 
Boggs,  having  been  at  different  times  associated  with  him. 

After  dissolving  his  connection  with  James  Smith  in  1830, 
Mr.  John  A.  Smith  continued  business  alone  until  1844; 
when  Mr.  Samuel  Southgate,  jun.,  and  his  son  John  S.  Smith, 
succeeded  him  under  the  name  of  Southgate  and  Smith ; ” 
and  in  1859  Mr.  Southgate  retired  from  the  firm,  and  his 
place  was  taken  by  Horace  Waite. 

Cheney  Hatch,  Esq.,  began  business  in  1823,  and  continued 
it  till  1836.  He  was  then  succeeded  by  Alden  Bisco ; who,  in 
a few  months,  sold  to  Henry  A.  Denny ; who  carried  it  on  till 
1849,  when  he  took  in  his  sons  Joseph  W.  and  William  S. : 
and  the  firm  of  Henry  A.  Denny  and  Sons  ” continued  till 
1854,  Avhen  they  removed  to  Worcester,  and  their  business 
passed  into  the  hands  of  White  and  Denny.”  This  firm 
consists  of  Alonzo  White  and  Christopher  C.  Denny. 

Mr.  White  had  been  a partner  with  Mr.  Josiah  Q.  Lamb 
from  1836  to  1846.  After  that,  Mr.  Lamb  carried  on  business 
alone  till  his  death  in  1850. 

Josephus  Woodcock,  son  of  the  first  Mr.  John  Woodcock; 
Benjamin  Conklin,  jun.,  who  had  married  one  of  his  daugh- 
ters ; and  Austin  Conklin,  — began  business  under  the  firm 
of  ‘‘  Conklin,  Woodcock,  and  Company,”  in  1828.  In  1830,  it 
was  dissolved  ; and  Josephus,  with  his  brother  Lucius,  took 
the  business,  under  the  name  of  J.  and  L.  Woodcock.”  The 
next  year  they  took  in  Danforth  Rice,  who  left  the  firm  in 
1836  ; and  William  P.  White  joined  it  in  1848. 

After  dissolving  with  James  Smith,  Alpheus  carried  on 
business  extensively  in  his  own  name,  in  the  building  now 
the  dwelling-house  of  H.  G.  Henshaw,  Esq.,  until  1823  ; when 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


37 


his  brother  Horace  took  the  business,  and  carried  it  on  till  his 
death  in  1828. 

Joshua  Murdock,  jun.,  began  business,  in  1841,  with  Samuel 
Southgate,  jun.  On  Mr.  Southgate’s  withdrawing  from  the 
firm,  Mr.  Murdock  took  in  his  brother  Joseph;  and,  in  1857, 
another  brother,  John  N. : and  they  are  still  in  business. 

Reuben  Meriam  began  business  in  1821,  and  continued  till 
1831 ; having  in  the  mean  time  had,  as  partners,  Mr.  George 
W.  Morse  and  Henry  A.  Denny. 

Harry  Ward  carried  on  business  from  1810  till  his  death  in 
1824. 

Samuel  Hurd  and  Baylies  Upham  were  in  business,  as  part- 
ners, from  1825  to  1833.  Then  Mr.  Upham  carried  it  on  alone 
until  1850,  when  he  took  in  Erving  Sprague.  In  1855,  Mr. 
Sprague  left  the  firm  ; and,  in  1857,  Mr.  Upham  removed 
to  Worcester. 

John  H.  and  William  Whittemore  began  business  in  1843. 
In  1851,  the  senior  partner  was  accidentally  killed  upon  the 
Western  Railroad.  His  brother  James  had  joined  the  firm  in 
1850  ; and  it  is  still  continued. 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  mention  all  who  have  been  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  manufacturing  hand-cards.  Among 
them  were  Mr.  Daniel  Denny, — son  of  Col.  Samuel,  and  father 
of  the  gentleman,  of  the  same  name,  now  President  of  the 
Hamilton  Bank  in  Boston,  — who  carried  on  business  in 
Cherry  Valley,  in  the  house  opposite  the  Southgate  Place, 
in  1792  ; Capt.  William  Sprague  and  Sons  ; Barnard  Upham; 
Roswell  Sprague,  who,  as  is  stated  in  another  part  of  our 
work,  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  general  manufacture 
of  cards  and  merchandise,  and  afterwards  removed  to  New 
York,  where  he  has  been  a successful  merchant ; Samuel  D. 
Watson,  who  was  in  prosperous  business  for  several  years 
at  his  place,  lately  owned  by  Silas  Gleason,  Esq. ; Aaron  Morse, 
who  afterwards  kept  the  hotel  opposite  the  ^leeting-liouse  ; 
Guy  S.  Newton ; Timothy  Earle ; Samuel  Southgate  ; and 


38 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


William  H.  Scott.  The  largest  establishment  now  engaged 
in  this  department  of  the  business  is  Joseph  B.  Sargent  and 
Edward  Sargent,  sons  of  Col.  Joseph  D.  Sargent,  in  the  brick 
factory  west  of  the  Meeting-house  ; who  can  manufacture 
more  than  two  thousand  dozen  pairs  of  cards  each  week. 

^ But,  without  going  any  further  into  details  of  the  industry 
of  the  town,  I will  refer  to  statistics  of  the  business  done 
here  at  the  several  times,  when,  by  order  of  the  Legislature, 
returns  were  made  from  the  several  towns  of  the  results  of 
their  productive  industry. 

In  1837,  the  woollen  mills  of  the  town  employed  three 
hundred  and  forty-four  hands  and  a capital  of  $180,000,  pro- 
ducing cloths  valued  at  $319,450 ; there  were  seventeen 
manufactories  of  cards,  employing  a capital  of  $74,000,  and 
producing  $152,000  worth  of  cards  annually ; and  the  aggre- 
gate of  the  products  of  the  several  manufactures  carried  on 
in  the  town  was  $531,439  during  that  year. 

The  return  for  the  year  1845  showed  a much  less  favorable 
state  of  business.  Only  a hundred  and  eighty-four  were 
employed  in  the  woollen  mills,  and  the  product  of  their  labor 
was  but  $250,500  ; .eighteen  card-manufactories  produced 
$154,700  value  of  cards;  and  the  sum  total  of  the  manufac- 
turing products  of  the  town  was  only  $452,065. 

The  return  of  1855  presents  a much  more  gratifying  result. 
The  woollen  mills  were  employing  three  hundred  and  forty- 
two  hands,  producing  goods  valued  at  $560,600 ; twelve 
card-manufactories  produced  $175,000;  boots  and  shoes,  the 
manufacture  of  which  had  been  then  recently  introduced, 
amounted  to  $85,000  : showing  an  aggregate  product  of  the 
mechanical  and  manufacturing  business  of  the  town  of  over 
$900,000. 

The  amount  of  business  in  the  town  and  vicinity  induced 
the  Legislature  to  charter  a bank  here  in  1826,  with  a capital 
of  $100,000  ; which  has  since  been  increased  to  $200,000. 
It  has  been  in  successful  operation  since  June  of  that  year. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


39 


John  Clapp,  Esq.,  was  its  first  president;  and  John  A.  Smith, 
its  cashier.  Mr.  Clapp  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  N.  P.  Denny, 
and  Mr.  Smith  by  H.  G.  Henshaw,  Esq.  Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq., 
succeeded  Hon.  N.  P.  Denny  as  president,  and  D.  E.  Meriam, 
Esq.,  Mr.  Henshaw  as  cashier,  in  1845.  Cheney  Hatch,  Esq., 
who  succeeded  Mr.  Denny,  has  been  its  president  for  several 
years  past.  It  is  a well-managed  and  prosperous  institution. 

In  connection  with  the  facilities  which  they  furnish  for  the 
transaction  of  business,  it  is  proper  to  speak  of  the  principal 
highways  in  the  town.  There  are  within  the  town  probably 
more  than  seventy-five  miles  of  ways,  town  and  county,  whose 
support  is  chargeable  to  the  inhabitants ; but,  heavy  as  this 
charge  is,  few  are  more  cheerfully  borne.  The  laying-out 
of  these,  when  done  by  the  town,  forms  a part  of  its  records ; 
and,  by  the  objects  referred  to  for  the  purposes  of  description, 
one  can  often  read  the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  the 
face  of  the  country,  and  the  condition  of  the  people,  since 
the  earlier  stages  of  their  history.  These  go  back  to  the 
time  when  the  Meeting-house  was  closely  hemmed  in  by  the 
primitive  forest,  and  the  scattered  settlers  were  at  war  Avith 
the  Avild  beasts  that  roamed  through  the  Avilderness.^ 

The  present  road  to  Paxton  was  laid  out  in  1721,  and 
began  at  a black-birch  standing  near  a great  red-oak,  behind 
the  Meeting-house  and  close  by  the  same,’’  and  ran  thence 
through  the  woods  by  marked  trees. 

In  1744,  a road  Avas  laid  out  from  the  south  line  of  the 
toAvn,  near  the  house  of  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Parker,  to  Dr. 
Green’s  ; one  of  its  bounds  being  the  “ said  Green’s  wolf-pit,” 
which  AAms,  as  recollected  by  the  older  inhabitants,  a littie 
to  the  north-east  of  Mr.  Parker’s  house,  and  AAms  dug  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  Avolves,  by  Avhich  the  first  settlers  Avere 
much  annoyed. 

The  principal  road  in  the  town  has,  from  tlie  first,  been 


The  location  of  several  of  these  ways  is  given  in  the  Appendix. 


40 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  great  Post  Road,  formerly  called  the  Country  Road,  from 
Boston  to  Albany. 


There  was  a communication,  by  land,  between  the  settle- 
ments around  Boston,  and  those  at  Hartford  and  Springfield 
upon  Connecticut  River,  from  the  time  of  the  emigration  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Hooker  with  his  flock  from  Newtown  in  1G35. 
This  journey  required  a fortnight  for  its  accomplishment. 
Their  route,  probably,  was  through  what  is  now  Leicester. 
But  a new  line  of  travel  was  afterwards  adopted,  leading 
through  the  southerly  part  of  Northborough,  Westborough, 
and  Grafton,  which  was  called  the  Connecticut  Path ; it  being 
little  more  than  a mere  path  which  could  be  travelled  on 
horseback.  The  principal  communication,  for  a considerable 
time  after  the  settlement  at  Hartford,  was  by  water ; and 
for  many  years  after  the  destruction  of  Brookfield,  and  the 
dispersing  of  the  settlement  at  Worcester,  there  were  no 
inhabitants  west  of  Marlborough,  before  reaching  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Connecticut.  The  direction  of  this  line  of 
communication  was  afterwards  changed,  so  as  to  run  through 
the  centre  of  Northborough,  Shrewsbury,  Worcester,  and 
Leicester,  and  was  called  the  New  Connecticut  Road,  though 
it  still  was  but  a rugged  track  through  the  forest. 

In  1722,  the  town  voted  that  the  selectmen  should  apply 
to  the  Court  of  Sessions  to  have  the  Country  Road  laid  out 
through  this  town.  It  had  been  previously  laid  out  as  a 
road  ; for,  in  a deed  to  the  Rev.  David  Parsons,  in  March, 
1721,  it  is  called  the  Country  Road  formerly  laid  out  to  Tow- 
taid.”  But  probably  it  had  not  been  done  by  any  competent 
body  of  men  to  constitute  it  a legal  highway.  The  appli- 
cation to  the  County  Commissioners  in  1722  failed,  and  it 
was  then  laid  out  as  a townwa3^■^  In  a deed  dated  in  1727, 
the  parcel  granted  bounds  “ northerly  by  the  road  as  it  was 


♦ For  a record  of  this  location,  see  Appendix,  which  will  give  some  idea  of  its 
condition  for  travel  as  lute  as  1723. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


41 


laid  out  by  the  selectmen  of  the  town,  but  commonly  called 
the  Country  Road.” 

The  direction  of  this  road  through  the  town  has  been 
changed,  from  time  to  time,  within  the  recollection  of  the 
present  generation.  It  formerly  passed  from  jjew  T^rces- 
ter,  over,  the  summR-of  the  hill,  and  near  to  the  dwelling- 
house  of  Mr.  John  Sargent;  and,  from  what  is  now  Mr. 
Dickinson’s  factory,  it  passed  up  just  above  the  house  for- 
merly of  Matthew  Watson,  and  along  the  brow  of  the  hill  to 
where  the  Waite  Tavern  used  to  stand.  Another  change  was 
in  its  direction  over  Mount  Pleasant.  It  passed  directly  up 
the  hill,  and  along  in  front  of  the  house  formerly  owned  by 
Hour^  N.  P.  Denny. 

In  1806,  the  Worcester  and  Stafford  Turnpike  was  laid  out 
through  the  south  part  of  the  town ; and,  by  a singular  kind 
of  civil  engineering  then  in  general  use,  it  was  laid  as  nearly 
as  might  be  in  a direct  line ; though,  to  do  so,  it  had  to 
surmount  the  longest  hills  and  steepest  acclivities,  from  the 
summits  of  which  the  wearied  travelled  might  see  the  plea- 
sant and  convenient  valleys,  along  which,  without  an  increase 
of  distance,  the  way  might  originally  have  been  laid. 

Before  the  location-  of  this  road,  the  travel  from  Charlton 
was  by  the  road  which  led  by  the  mills  in  Greenville ; then 
on  the  road  towards  the  Meeting-house,  as  far  as  the  house  of 
the  late  John  King,  Esq. ; and  then  by  the  road  leading  by  the 
Henshaw  Place  into  the  Great  Road,  at  what  is  now  Dickin- 
son’s woollen  mill.f  The  travel  from  Sturbridge  was  by 
what  was  called  the  County  Road ; coming  into  the  Great 

* This  road  was  originally  laid  out  by  the  town,  four  rods  wide,  I infer  from  other 
circumstances  that  it  was  laid  out  by  the  county  in  1728,  It  must  have  then  been  very 
steep  in  its  passage  over  the  Meeting-house  Hill;  for  I find  the  town,  in  1771,  appro- 
priating money  “ to  lower  the  hill  called  Meeting-house  Hill,”  And  the  extent  to 
which  it  has  been  reduced  within  fifty  years  past,  as  many  will  remember,  has  changed 
it-  decree  of  elevation  most  essentially  within  that  time. 

t I’his  road  was  laid  out  by  the  town,  in  1739,  through  lands  then  of  Southgate, 
Steele  (Henshaw’s),  Bethune  (Tainter’s),  William  Green  (late  John  King's),  “ into  the 
way  that  leads  through  Green’s  land  towards  the  >Ieeting-honse.” 

6 


42 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Road  at  the  house,  afterwards,  of  Deacon  Murdock,  half  a 
mile  west  of  the  Meeting-house. 

There  was  a road  early  laid  out  from  the  Meeting-house  to 
Green’s  Mills,  — now  Greenville,  — for  the  purpose  of  provid- 
ing access  to  these,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  people.  It 
varied  somewhat  from  the  road  as  at  present  travelled.* 

In  the  winter  of  1826,  the  subject  of  adopting  railroads  as 
a mode  of  transportation  began  to  attract  attention.  The 
system  was  then  in  its  infancy.  A short  one  had  been  put 
into  operation  at  the  Quincy  quarries,  for  the  transportation 
of  stone  ; and,  as  no  locomotive  had  then  been  invented,  the 
only  power  applied  was  that  of  horses.  In  the  June  Session 
of  the  Legislature  of  that  year,  Abner  Phelps,  George  W. 
Adams,  and  Emory  Washburn,  were  appointed  a Committee 
of  the  House,  to  take  into  consideration  the  practicability 
and  expediency  of  constructing  a railway  from  Boston,  on 
the  most  eligible  route,  to  the  western  line  of  the  county  of 
Berkshire ; in  order  that,  if  leave  can  be  obtained  of  the 
government  of  New  York,  it  may  be  extended  to  the  most 
desirable  point  on  the  Hudson  River  at  or  near  Albany.” 

As  this  was  the  first  step  ever  taken  in  the  inauguration  of 
that  enterprise  which  has  been  of  such  immeasurable  advan- 
tage to  the  State,  and  as  one  of  the  Committee  was  then  a 
representative  from  this  town,  it  seemed  a fit  occasion  to 
allude  to  the  subject ; since  the  conclusions  to  which  the  Com- 
mittee came,  that  they  were  satisfied  of  the  practicability 
and  convinced  of  the  expediency  of  constructing  a railway 
from  Boston  to  the  Hudson,”  though  much  ridiculed  at  the 
time,  were  successfully  and  triumphantly  carried  out  and 
accomplished  before  the  year  1841. 

The  Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad  was  opened  for  use, 
July  6,  1835.  In  1838,  one  of  the  Committee,  whose  judg- 
ment upon  the  subject  had  been  so  much  sneered  at  in  1827, 


* For  the  record  of  this  location,  see  Appendix, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


43 


had  the  satisfaction,  as  chairman,  on  the  part  of  the  House, 
of  a Committee  in  that  year,  to  report  in  favor  of  a loan  of 
the  credit  of  the  State  to  aid  the  Western  Railroad  to  com- 
plete the  same  to  Albany ; and,  by  the  confidence  which 
the  measure  had  then  obtained,  the  same  was  carried  by  a 
decided  vote  through  both  branches.  In  1841,  Dec.  27,  the 
road  was  formally  opened  for  the  public  use.  It  runs  through 
the  south  part  of  the  town,  and  had  been  in  use  for  some 
time  before  the  entire  work  was  completed. 

The  opening  of  this  road  wrought  an  entire  revolution  in 
the  course  of  public  travel  through  the  town.  It  shortened 
the  time  of  a passage  to  Boston  from  eight  hours  to  three : 
but  it  put  an  end  to  the  lines  of  stage-coaches,  which,  two  or 
three  times  a day,  used  to  keep  alive  the  attention  of  the  vil- 
lagers by  their  arrival  and  departure,  and  made  the  bar-room 
of  the  hotel,  for  a few  moments  every  day,  a kind  of  public 
exchange,  where  friends  met  to  greet  each  other,  news  was 
told,  politics  discussed,  and  a free  intercourse  kept  up  with 
the  outside  world. 

Besides  these,  there  was  a large  amount  of  travel  through 
the  town  in  pleasure-carriages,  and  especially  by  teams  em- 
ployed in  transportings  produce  to  Boston,  and  bringing  sup- 
plies of  goods  for  the  country  from  that  market. 

Stage-coaches  show  a step  in  the  progress  of  business  in 
Massachusetts,  as  marked  in  its  day  as  that  by  railroads  in  our 
own.  The  first  line  of  these  was  designed  to  carry  passengers 
between  Boston  and  New  York,  by  the  way  of  Springfield  and 
Hartford.  It  was  established  by  Levi  Pease,  then  of  Somers, 
Conn.,  and  Reuben  Sikes,  then  of  Hartford,  Oct.  20,  1783, 
running  stage-ioagons  between  Hartford  and  Boston.*^  They 


* In  1782,  June  13,  an  advertisement  was  published  in  the  “ Spy:”  — 
‘‘Stage-Coach  from  Worcester  to  Boston.  — A gentleman  in  Boston,  who  is 
possessed  of  a genteel  stage-coach  and  a span  of  good  horses,  woi;ld  willingly  be  con- 
cerned with  a trusty  person,  capable  of  driving  said  stage  from  Boston  to  Worcester 
and  from  Worcester  to  Boston,  zcee^/y,  and  transacting  the  business  consequent  thereon.” 
But  no  one  accepted  the  offer,  and  the  scheme  was  abandoned. 


44 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


left  Hartford  at  eleven  o’clock,  a.m.,  on  Monday ; and  reached 
Somers  at  night,  stopping  at  Pease’s  Tavern : on  Tuesday 
they  reached  Rice’s,  at  Brookfield : on  Wednesday  they 
reached  Northborough,  at  Martin’s ; and  arrived  at  Boston  on 
Thursday  evening.  The  return  stages  left  Boston  on  Monday, 
and  reached  Hartford  on  Thursday.  The  fare  charged  was 
fourpence  per  mile.  This  was  the  pioneer  enterprise  in  the 
way  of  carrying  passengers  between  these  cities,  and  pre- 
sents, in  strong  contrast,  the  time  then  occupied  with  that 
required  by  the  present  mode  of  travel,  as  well  as  the  number 
of  passengers  to  be  carried.  The  traveller  accomplishes  now 
nearly  as  much  in  an  hour  as  he  was  then  able  to  do  in  a 
day.* 

The  mail  between  Boston  and  New  York  was  carried  on 
horseback ; and  a man,  whom  I knew,  was  living  a few  years 
ago  in  Charlemont,  who  used  to  “ ride  post  ” between  these 
cities  during  the  Revolution.  It  was  afterwards  carried  by 
these  stage-wagons.  But  the  multiplication  of  post-offices  is  a 
thing  of  a much  more  recent  date. 

There  was,  I have  reason  to  infer,  a post-office  established 
in  Leicester  in  1798 ; and,  according  to  the  recollection  of  an 
aged  informant,  Ebenezer  Adams,  Esq.,  was  the  first  commis- 
sioned postmaster.  Previous  to  that  (in  1796),  there  was  not, 
I believe,  any  post-ofiice  between  Worcester  and  Springfield. 
He  was  succeeded  in  the  office  by  Col.  Thomas  Benny ; and, 
upon  his  death,  Col.  Henry  Sargent  was  appointed  to  the  place. 
Upon  his  death,  Mr.  John  Sargent  succeeded  to  the  office  ; 
and  the  present  incumbent  (Mr.  Henry  D.  Hatch),  upon  the 
death  of  Mr.  Sargent,  became  his  successor. 

It  would  be  of  no  practical  utility  to  attempt  to  enumerate 
those  who  have  at  different  times  been  engaged  in  the  trade 
of  merchandise  in  the  town. 


* 1 find  the  following  memoriuidum  in  a private  diary  of  a resident  of  Leicester:  — 

“ 1786,  May  30.  — Set  out  for  Boston  in  the  stage.  Arrived  at  Boston  that  night. 
Paid  for  my  ride  in  the  stage,  13s.  6d.;  spent  a-going,  2s.  lOljd.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


45 


I find  the  name  of  AYilliam  Larkin  in  a process  in  court  in 
1735,  in  which  he  is  st}ded  trader.’’  He  came  from  Boston, 
and  owned  the  house  which  John  Stebbings  had  built,  where 
Mr.  May’s  house  now  stands : and,  if  he  carried  on  trade,  it 
was  probably  in  the  same  house ; for  I have  reason  to  believe 
that  the  first  building  erected  especially  for  a store  in  town 
was  that  built  by  a Mr.  Fosgate  in  1770.  This  was  upon  half 
an  acre  of  land  which  he  purchased  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin, 
and  stood  nearly  in  front  of  the  present  Academy  Building, 
close  by  the  road.  It  was  originally  a small  building,  but 
was  elongated  from  time  to  time,  till  it  came  into  the  occupa- 
tion of  Mr.  Daniel  McFarland  in  July,  1802. 

Mr.  Fosgate  came  from  Bolton,  and  remained  here  but  about 
a year.  His  immediate  successor  in  trade  was  the  Hon. 
Joseph  Allen,  who  purchased  the  place  in  1772,  and  soon  after 
erected  a dwelling-house  upon  the  land.  In  1777,  Aaron 
Lopez  purchased  the  estate,  with  an  additional  halfacre  of 
land,  and  erected  thereon  the  building  which  was  afterwards 
occupied  as  the  Academy,  and  in  it  carried  on  an  extensive 
trade.  He  was  a man  of  large  wealth  ; and  his  stock  of  goods, 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  appraised  at  twelve  thousand 
dollars.  His  death  took  place  in  1782» 

Mr.  Thomas  Stickney  removed  from  Newbury  port  to  Leices- 
ter, and  opened  a store  upon  Mount  Pleasant,  about  1785.  He 
owned  the  estate  afterwards  owmed  by  Major  Swan,  — then 
of  imposing  elegance,  — upon  the  south  side  of  the  Great 
Road;  and  his  store  adjoined  his  house.  He  died  in  July,  1791. 
John  and  Joseph  Stickney,  brothers  of  Thomas,  carried  on 
trade  several  years  in  the  house,  on  Mount  Pleasant,  which 
afterwards  belonged  to  Jonathan  Earle,  and  subsequently  to 
Hon.  N.  P.  Denny.  They  both  died  in  1803:  Joseph,  Nov.  2; 
John,  Dec.  5.  Both  were  bachelors. 

Col.  Thomas  Denny,  about  1802,  commenced  and  carried  on 
business  as  a trader  till  his  death,  in  a building  which  stood 
upon  the  spot  where  the  brick  store,  next  east  of  the  Tavern, 


46 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


stands,  now  occupied  by  the  Bank.  In  1792,  Messrs.  Whitney 
and  Hammond  opened  a store  in  this  building,  and  continued 
business  there  a year  or  two.  Mr.  Phinehas  ’Waite  then  occu- 
pied a part  of  it  a while  for  the  same  purpose. 

About  1792,  William  S.  Harris,  from  Boston,  opened  a store 
in  the  Fosgate  Building;  which  was  occupied  afterwards,  a 
short  time,  by  William  Earle,  a son  of  Mr. -Thomas  Earle,  in 
1795.  Mr.  Harris  married  Elizabeth  Conklin,  daughter  , of 
Bev.  Mr.  Conklin,  and  removed  to  the  South.  His  brother 
Stephen,  about  the  same  time,  engaged  in  the  business  of  a 
bakery ; which  he  carried  on  extensively  in  the  basement 
of  the  west  part  of  Mr.  Swan’s  tavern-house,  where  Capt. 
Knight’s  house  stands.  He  married  Sally  Denny,  daughter 
of  Col.  Samuel,  and  removed  to  Norfolk,  Va. 

Mr.  Daniel  McFarland  commenced  trade  in  the  building 
which  had  been  occupied  by  Mr.  Harris,  in  1802;  and  con- 
tinued there  until  the  erection  of  a two-story  brick  store 
opposite  the  Academy,  which  has  since  been  converted  into 
a dwelling-house.  He  carried  on  business  there  until  his 
death  ; and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  Mr.  Horace  Mc- 
Farland, who  continued  the  business  for  a few  years. 

Mr.  Roswell  Sprague  erected  a large  store,  in  which  he 
carried  on  merchandise  and  the  manufacture  of  cards  for 
several  years,  till  his  removal  to  New  A"ork.  The  same  has 
since  been  owned,  and  occupied  as  a dwelling-house,  by  Mr. 
Reuben  Meriam. 

In  later  years,  Mr.  John  Sargent,  Mr.  Danforth  Rice,  and, 
at  a period  contemporary  with  Mr.  Daniel  McFarland,  Col. 
Ignatius  Goulding,  have  been  among  those  who  were  engaged 
in  the  business  of  trade  in  the  town.* 

The  names  which  have  by  usage  been  attached  to  some  of 


* There  were  several  small  stores  connected  with  the  manufactories  of  cards;  it 
being  customary  to  employ  numerous  families  in  setting  the  teeth  of  the  cards  manu- 
factured, and  to  pay  them  “out  of  the  store,”  or  in  such  goods  as  the  manufacturei 
had  on  sale  for  such  purposes. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


47 


the  villages  have  already  been  mentioned.  That  of  Cherry 
Valley,  in  the  east  part  of- the  town,  came  into  general  nse 
after  1820  ; that  of  Clapp ville,  about  1830  ; and  that  of  Mann- 
ville,  in  1856. 

The  name  of  Greenville  has  been  applied,  within  a few 
years,  to  the  village  around  the  Baptist  Meeting-house,  and 
mills  near  it ; and  is  derived  from  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town,  who  erected  here  the  first 
sawmill  in  the  town.  He  had  also  erected  a gristmill  upon 
the  same  privilege  as  early  as  1724.  The  place  was  so 
favorable  for  such  works,  and  their  need  to  a new  settlement 
so  pressing,  that  three  lots  of  thirty  acres  each,  with  the 
privilege  of  the  stream,  were  granted,  as  has  been  stated,  — 
two  of  them  to  Samuel  Green,  and  one  to  Thomas  Bichardson, 
— upon  the  condition  that  they  should  erect  mills  thereon.  It 
is  believed  that  the  condition  was  performed,  and  the  land 
taken,  wholly  by  Capt.  Green ; who  became  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  a numerous  family,  — a man  of  wealth,  and  of  great 
influence  in  the  town. 

It  may,  however,  be  stated  in  this  connection,  that  this 
was  not  the  earliest  gristmill  in  the  toAvn.  That  was  erected, 
at  the  outlet  of  Towm-^leadoAv,  about  1722 ; and  parts  of  the 
original  dam  and  raceway  remained  there  until  the  erection 
of  the  present  dam  of  the  brick  factory  belonging  to  Messrs. 
J.  B.  and  E.  Sargent.  This  mill  was  erected  by  Joseph  Par- 
sons in  pursuance  of  a vote  of  the  toAvn,  exempting  it  from 
all  taxes  if  he  Avould  proceed  speedily  to  erect  it.  And  yet 
there  is  reason  to  believe  that  it  could  only  have  run  in  the 
winter  months  ; for  the  hay  upon  the  meadow  Avas  too  valuable 
to  allow  it  to  be  destroyed  by  flowing  the  land  in  the  sum- 
mer season,  and  small  parcels  of  the  meadow  continued  to  be 
regarded  as  valuable  appendages  to  other  lands  many  years 
after  1722. 

The  condition  of  the  colored  population  of  the  toAvn  de- 
serves a passing  note  in  speaking  of  its  local  statistics. 


48 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  last  vestige  of  the  tribe  of  Indians  that  inhabited  here 
has  long  ago  disappeared.  It  was  a place  of  consequence 
enough  to  have  a distinctive  name  and  a separate  sachem  ; 
but,  beyond  its  name,  literally  nothing  remains  of  them.  Their 
story  was  that  of  most  of  the  tribes  in  New  England : they 
disappeared  ; and  the  only  memorials  of  the  perished  race 
are  an  arrowhead,  a pipe,  or  a stone  hatchet,  occasionally 
turned  up  by  the  plough  on  the  spots  where  they  built 
their  wigwams  or  planted  their  cornfields.  The  degenerate 
relics  of  a few  of  these  tribes,  here  and  there,  still  retain 
something  of  their  color,  and  much  of  the  habits  of  thriftless- 
ness of  the  ancestors  from  whom  they  trace  a questionable 
descent.  One  of  these  was  the  Hasnamisco  or  Grafton  Tribe. 
One  of  the  few  remaining  members  of  that  tribe,  by  the 
name  of  Polly  Johns,  died  here  some  fifty  years  ago.  She 
was  the  last  person  in  the  town  having  Indian  blood  in  her 
veins. 

It  is  difficult  to  fix  the  number  of  negroes  who  have  been 
residents  here  at  different  periods,  from  the  want  of  proper 
censuses  in  the  early  history  of  the  town.  In  that  of  1754, 
there  were  six;  in  1764-5,  seven;  in  1790,  eight;  in  1800, 
seven  ; 1810,  twenty-three  ; 1820,  two  ; 1830,  four ; 1840,  six  ; 
and  1850,  one.  Their  number  at  any  time  would  not  have 
called  for  any  special  notice,  if  with  it  there  had  not  been 
connected,  at  one  period,  the  question  of  the  existence  and 
extent  of  slavery  in  the  town. 

That  slavery  nominally  existed  here  is  undoubtedly  true. 
The  census  of  1754  shows  the  number  to  be  six.  But,  had  they 
seen  fit  to  test  the  question  of  their  being  held  as  such,  it  would 
probably  have  been  found,  that  by  the  provisions  of  the  Body 
of  Liberties  in  Massachusetts,  of  1640,  most  of  them  were  free 
by  reason  of  having  been  born  in  the  Province.*  But  they 


* The  clnuse  to  which  I refer,  and  which  declares  the  law  on  the  subject,  was  in 
these  words:  “There  shall  never  be  any  bond-slaverie,  villenage,  or  captivitie,  unless  it 
be  lawful  captives  taken  in  just  wars,  and  such  strangers  as  willingly  sell  themselves 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


49 


continued  to  be  reckoned  among  the  household  property, 
partly  from  its  being  a traditional  institution  handed  down 
to  the  people  of  the  Colony  from  the  mother-country,  whose 
validity  no  one  thought  of  questioning  ; and  partly  because 
the  mildness  with  which  they  were  treated,  in  the  families 
in  which  they  were  domesticated,  gave  little  occasion  for 
dissatisfaction  or  discontent  on  the  part  of  the  slave.  In  the 
country,  they  were  accounted  of  little  value  in  the  way  of 
traffic ; and  we  are  told  by  Dr.  Belknap  that  they  were  often 
given  away  in  their  infancy,  like  the  young  of  many  domestic 
animals,  to  those  who  were  willing  to  take  them,  and  rear 
them  in  their  families.  And  what  serves  to  show  the  character 
of  their  general  treatment,  and  their  own  feelings  in  regard  to 
it,  better  than  any  thing  else,  is  the  fact,  that  after  it  had  been 
solemnly  decided,  in  Quork  Walker’s  case  in  this  county,  that, 
by  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  in  1780,  every  slave  in 
Massachusetts  was  declared  free,  a large  proportion  of  them 
continued  to  reside  in  the  families  of  their  former  masters  as 
long  as  they  lived. 

Among  the  names  of  those  known  to  have  been  held  as 
slaves  in  Leicester  were  three  belonging  to  Capt.  Lyon,  — 
Csesar,  Quashi,  and  Prince,  — to  whom  he  gave  their  freedom. 
Titus  belonged  to  Col.  Washburn,  and  was  freed  at  the  age  of 
twenty,  though  he  lived  in  the  family  till  his  death.  Jenny, 
his  mother,  belonged  to  Mrs.  Sergeant,  who  was  a sister  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Denny,  and  became  the  second  wife  of  Col. 
AVashburn  in  1788.  Jethro  belonged  to  Mr.  Joseph  Sprague  ; 
but,  after  his  death,  remained  in  the  family  of  his  son,  Capt. 
AVilliam  Sprague,  as  long  as  he  lived.  Though  deaf  and 
dumb,  he  was  bright  and  intelligent.  At  his  death,  he  was 
laid  in  the  old  burying-ground  behind  the  Meeting-house, — 
the  last  person  buried  there. 


or  are  sold  to  ns.”  Consequently,  there  never  was  a person,  native-born,  who  could 
have  been  lawfully  held  as  a slave  in  Massachusetts  after  1640.  — Vide  Mass.  JJist. 
Soc.  Collections,  Fourth  Series,  vol.  iv.  p.  334. 

7 


50 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Aaron  Lopez  came  from  Newport,  where  slaves  were  more 
numerous  than  in  the  interior  of  Massachusetts,  and  brought 
with  him  three  men,  two  women,  and  one  boy.  Mr.  Rivera, 
who  removed  to  Leicester  with  him,  had  three  men  and  three 
women.  All  these,  it  is  believed,  went  back  with  the  families 
of  their  masters  to  Newport  after  the  v/ar. 

Cain  Bowman  was  the  slave  of  Edward  Bond,  who  had 
undoubtedly  freed  him  before  1778:  for  I find  him  mustered 
that  year,  as  a soldier  in  the  army,  by  Col.  Washburn;  who 
would  have  violated  the  law,  had  he  done  so  while  he  remained 
a slave.  One  who  had  been  a slave  before  the  war,  and  re- 
sided here  after  it,  by  the  name  of  Peter  Salem,  will  be  noticed, 
in  another  connection,  as  one  of  the  historical  personages  of 
the  day. 

I should  need  no  further  proof  of  the  estimation  in  which 
slaves  were  held  here,  if  I were  not  able  to  refer  to  the  recol- 
lection of  living  witnesses,  than  the  case  of  a slave  which 
Samuel  Denny  of  Maine  ^ conveyed  to  his  brother,  Capt. 
Daniel  Denny,  — the  first  of  that  name  in  Leicester,  — in 
1752.  The  boy’s  name  was  Richard,  and  he  was  then  five 
years  of  age.  By  the  conveyance,  he  was  to  be  held  until 
he  was  thirty,  with  a power  in  the  grantor  to  dispose  of  him 
after  that  time  by  will.  But  the  grantee  was  restricted  from 
selling  or  disposing  of  him  to  any  one  except  one  of  his  own 
children,  and  never  to  sell  him  for  gain  or  profit.  In  his  bill 
of  gift,  he  charged  his  brother  that  he  and  they  deal  kindly 
by  and  with  the  poor  boy ; that  they  look  upon  him  as  a poor 
orphan ; and  especially  that  they  hold  themselves  engaged 
to  bring  him  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  do  that  to  and  for 
him  that  will  bear  a trial;  knowing  he  has  a precious  soul  as 


* Samuel  Denny  came  from  England  with  his  brother  Daniel,  and  his  sister  Mrs. 
Prince,  wife  of  Rev.  Thomas  Prince  of  the  Old  South  Church,  Boston.  lie  settled  in 
Maine  about  1728,  and  became  a leading  man  in  Lincoln  County;  being  “ first  Judge 
of  tlie  Court  of  Pleas”  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Dennysville,  in  that  State,  was 
named  from  him. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


51 


well  as  we.’^  Capt.  Denny  bequeathed  the  boy,  by  his  last 
will,  to  his  son  Col.  Samuel,  for  the  balance  of  the  time  for 
which  he  was  entitled  to  his  service  ; and  he  died  while  a 
member  of  the  family  of  the  devisee. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  that,  with  views  and  feel- 
ings like  these  on  the  part  of  masters,  slavery  is  robbed  of 
most  of  its  odiousness,  regarded  as  a personal  relation  of  the 
parties.  But  there  was  a strong  and  growing  sentiment  in 
Massachusetts,  before  the  war,  adverse  to  the  institution  ; 
and  when  the  war  broke  out,  for  the  professed  purpose  of 
securing  their  liberties,  there  was  such  an  obvious  incon- 
sistency in  holding  slaves,  that  many  formally  emancipated 
them.*  Col.  Timothy  Bigelow  did  but  speak  the  public  sen- 
timent when  he  declared,  that,  “ while  fighting  for  liberty, 
he  never  would  be  guilty  of  selling  slaves. ’’f 

Nor  was  it  by  profession  only  that  the  owners  of  these 
slaves,  so  long  as  they  retained  them,  showed  their  dispo- 
sition to  ameliorate  their  condition.  They  worked  with  them 
in  the  same  field,  ate  at  the  same  table,  and  the  master’s  chil- 
dren grew  up  with  feelings  towards  them  of  almost  fraternal 
regard. 

Such  was  slavery,  ncrfc  only  in  Leicester,  but  in  every  other 
country  town  in  Massachusetts. 

There  was  one  black  man  here,  who,  if  ever  a slave,  had 
become  free  and  a freeholder  in  1754.  His  name  upon  the 
records,  as  well  as  by  his  contemporaries,  was  “ Black  Tom.” 
He  lived  in  a house  remote  from  any  neighbor,  in  the  south- 


* Such  wfis  the  case  with  Seth  Washburn,  in  respect  to  his  man  Titus;  Edward 
Bond,  with  his  man  Cain;  Capt.  Lyon,  with  Caesar,  Quashi,  and  Prince.  Others 
might  be  mentioned. 

I In  the  instructions  to  their  representative.  Col.  Thomas  Denny,  in  May,  1773, 
which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix,  is  this  noble  declaration:  “As  we  have  the  higli- 
e.st  regard  for  (so  even  as  to  revere  the  name  of)  liberty,  we  cannot  beliold  but  with 
the  greatest  abhorrence  any  of  our  fellow-creatures  in  a state  of  slavery.  Therefore 
we  strictly  enjoin  you  to  use  your  utmost  influence,  that  a stop  may  be  put  to  the 
slave-trade  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


52 

west  part  of  the  town.  With  ready  ingenuity,  Tom  was 
able  to  turn  his  hand  to  various  kinds  of  handicraft,  by  which 
he  gained  a comfortable  livelihood,  and  was  thus  enabled  to  | 

cherish  a happy  temperament  with  which  he  was  born.  He 
became,  in  this  way,  a favorite  among  his  lighter-complexioned  ; 

neighbors.  Tom  was,  withal,  a sincere  and  humble  Christian,  ; 

and  a careful  observer  of  all  his  religious  duties  ; but,  as  he  j 

kept  neither  Avatch  nor  almanac,  he  sometimes  unwittingly  \ 

suffered  secular  Avork  to  interfere  with  holy  time.  i 

One  Sunday  afternoon,  a neighbor,  passing  by  Tom’s  dAvell-  ] 

ing,  Avas  surprised  to  hear  him  singing,  in  a loud  and  unmis-  ^ 

takable  tone,  a tune  which  had  little  of  the  psalm  about  i 

it.  Upon  his  going  up  to  his  door,  he  was  still  more  surprised  j 

to  find  him,  in  his  Avorking-day  garb  and  Avith  his  coat  off, 
busily  engaged  upon  an  ox-yoke,  which  he  had  nearl}'  com-  | 

pleted.  Upon  the  neighbor’s  expressing  his  astonishment  in  \ 

finding  Tom  thus  employed,  and  reminding  him  that  the  day 
Avas  Sunday,  Tom  threAv  doAvn  his  tools,  and,  after  a moment’s  ' 

reflection,  exclaimed,  ‘‘  Well,  massa.  Lord  knoAvs  I didn’t 
mean  to  cheat  him ; and  I Avon’t : I’ll  keep  to-morroAv  for 
Sunday  instead.”  And  he  kept  his  promise. 

Within  the  memory  of  some,  there  stood  upon  the  County 
Road,  so  called,  in  the  south- Avest  part  of  the  town,  a small 
log-house,  — the  last  of  that  pioneer  class  of  dAvellings  in 
Avhich  the  first  settlers  found  shelter  while  they  were  erect- 
ing more  comfortable  habitations.  The  house,  at  the  time  ^ 
of  which  I am  speaking,  was  occupied  by  Rose  Finnemore  * 
and  her  son  Ctesar  Augustus.  His  brother  Archelaus  lived  | 

at  that  time  at  Harwood  Place,  about  half  a mile  Avest  of  ^Ir.  J 

Eber  Bond’s.  The  family,  as  might  be  inferred  from  the  I 

names  of  the  brothers,  were  much  inclined  to  honor  the  me-  | 

mories  of  ancient  Avorthies  by  adopting  their  names  for  family  ! 

use.  The  scions  of  this  illustrious  stock  became  in  time  quite 


* The  family  had  emigrated  here  from  Greenfield. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


53 


numerous;  and,  upon  Mrs.  Csesar  Augustus  becoming  a mem- 
ber of  the  church,  it  became  proper  that  her  household  should 
be  baptized.  Some  may  remember  — for,  if  they  witnessed 
it,  they  would  not  readily  forget  it  — the  occasion  when  this 
goodly  array  of  some  half  a score  of  children  took  their  stand 
in  the  broad  aisle,  one  in  its  father’s  arms,  and  approached 
the  font.  The  eldest  received  the  baptismal  name  of  Romu- 
lus ; the  next,  Remus ; and  the  others,  in  turn,  rejoiced  in 
equally  illustrious  names  of  Roman  emperors,  and  heroes  of 
olden  time,  till  it  came  the  turn  of  the  baby.  Here  patriotism 
had  gotten  the  better  of  the  parent’s  love  of  classic  renown, 
and  crowned  the  little  citizen  — it  was  before  the  day  of 
I)red  Scott  — with  the  name  of  James  Madison,  the  then 
President  of  the  United  States.  As  this  little  episode,  in 
the  usual  Sunday  services  in  the  church,  took  place  while  the 
heat  of  excitement  between  the  old  Federal  and  Democratic 
parties  was  at  its  height,  soon  after  the  election  of  Mr.  Madi- 
son, there  was  something  approaching  a smile  upon  some  of 
the  countenances  of  the  congregation,  when  this  last  little 
hope  of  the  house  received  the  name  of  that  distinguished 
patriot  and  statesman  upon  his  family  escutcheon. 

But  the  log-house  soon  after  disappeared  ; Rose  was  ga- 
thered to  her  fathers;  and  Cmsar  and  his  numerous  house- 
hold, one  after  another,  stricken  down  by  the  hand  of 
consumption,  so  fatal  to  the  colored  race  in  this  climate,  soon 
followed  to  the  land  of  forgetfulness. 


54 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  III. 

MUNICIPAL  AFFAIRS.  — FIRST  SETTLERS.  — PECUNIARY  EMBARRASS- 
MENTS. — CURRENCY  AND  PRICES.— REPRESENTATIVES.— SCHOOLS 
AND  TEACHERS.  — LIBRARY,  &c. 

The  first  recorded  town-meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Leices- 
ter was  held  March  6,  1721-2  ; which,  to  correspond  to  the 
present  style,  would  be  March  17,  1722.  But  the  record  of 
that  meeting  shows  that  the  town  had  already  been  organized, 
and  provided  with  town-officers,  by  previous  elections ; for  a 
Committee  was  raised  on  that  occasion  to  settle  with  their 
treasurer.  They  had  also  then  a meeting-house  belonging 
to  the  town ; for,  at  this  meeting  in  March,  a person  was 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  it,  and  measures  were  taken 
toward  finishing  pews  and  seats  in  it.  We  are,  consequently, 
at  a loss  to  fix  the  precise  date  when  the  town  assumed  the 
functions  of  a body  politic  by  its  first  election  of  civil  officers. 
From  the  number  of  families  that  we  are  able  to  trace  as 
being  here  in  1717,  it  is  probable  that  they  began  to  have 
meetings  as  early  as  1718.  They  were  represented  in  the 
General  Court,  in  1721 ; as  appears  by  a vote  in  May,  1722, 
to  pay  Judge  Menzies,  who  had  served  them  in  that  capacity 
in  1721.  From  supposed  or  real  informality  in  the  early 
action  of  the  town,  they  felt  it  necessary  to  apply  to  the 
General  Court  for  authority  to  assess  and  collect  their  taxes, 
in  June,  1722.  After  this,  their  proceedings  seem  to  have 
been  regular  and  uninterrupted  as  a town. 

Among  the  families  whom  we  find  here  in  1717  were 
Richard  and  James  Southgate  and  Daniel  Denn^  who  came 
into  town  in  July  of  that  year;  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  and  his 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


55 


son  Thomas,  afterwards  Dr.  Thomas  ; James  Wilson  ; and, 
as  the  records  render  probable,  Samuel  Stebbins,  the  father 
of  John  and  Joseph,  who  came  here  with  him  from  England. 
Ralph  Earle  came  here  in  1718  ; and  Arthur  Carey  was 
probably  here  at  as  early  or  an  earlier  period.  Ebenezer 
Elliot  was  here  in  1719  ; and  Daniel  Livermore,  as  early  as 
1720.  The  same  was  true  of  the  families  of  John  Armstrong, 
Edmond  Taylor,  and  Hezekiah  Russ.  Thomas  Newhall  was 
still  earlier  in  town,  and  Judge  Menzies  was  carrying  on  his 
farm  in  July  of  1719. 

At  the  town-meeting  in  March,  1722,  Samuel  Green  was 
chosen  moderator,  first  selectman,  first  assessor,  and  grand 
juror,  for  the  year.  The  other  selectmen  were  John  Smith, 
Nathaniel  Richardson,  James  Southgate,  and  John  Lynd.  Na- 
thaniel Richardson  was  chosen  town-clerk ; Hezekiah  Russ 
and  William  Earle,  constables  ; Richard  Southgate,  treasurer  ; 
Joshua  Nichols,  one  of  the  assessors;  William  Brown,  one 
of  the  surveyors  of  highways  ; Samuel  Stebbins  and  Daniel 
Livermore,  fence-viewers ; and  William  Green  and  Rowland 
Taylor,  tithing-men.  I have  given  these  names  principally  to 
show  who,  at  that  early  day,  were  among  the  men  of  considera- 
tion in  the  town ; and  among  them  will  be  recognized  the 
ancestors  of  families,  some  of  whom  were  formerly  well  known 
in  town,  and  some  are  remaining  at  the  present  time. 

Among  the  subjects  that  troubled  the  inhabitants  for  many 
years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town  was  how  to  meet  the 
expenses  incident  to  a town-organization. 

In  the  first  place,  they  had  to  provide  a minister,  and  sup- 
port him ; and  this  rendered  it  necessary  to  erect  a meeting- 
house. Their  highways  were  a heavy  charge;  and  in  1725, 
and  again  in  1729,  they  Avere  indicted  for  not  having  erected  a 
bridge  over  Seven-mile  River.*  They  were,  as  will  be  shown 
hereafter,  in  constant  trouble  with  their  minister. 


* This  stream  is  in  the  westerly  part  of  S{)encer,  and  crosses  the  Great  Tost  Road; 
being  one  of  the  most  considerable  streams  in  that  town. 


56 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  1731,  for  the  first  time,  they  undertook  to  support  a 
school,  and  contented  themselves  with  a single  one,  kept, 
for  the  space  of  three  months,  in  three  different  parts  of  the 
toAvn.  Tho  total  expense  was  <£10.  10s.  of  the  then  depre- 
ciated currency : but  even  this  trifle  seems  to  have  been 
felt  as  beyond  their  means ; for  they  made  no  provision  for 
a school  in  1732  ; and  the  consequence  was,  the  town  was 
indicted  at  the  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  neglect.  Finding  it 
a better  expenditure  of  money  to  support  a school  than  to  pay 
fines,  the  inhabitants  provided  one,  next  year,  for  reading  and 
writing,  for  the  term  of  three  months ; and  the  same  Avas  kept 
at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Sargent.  He  kept  a public-house 
in  a building,  afterAvards  torn  down,  which  stood  opposite 
the  Catholic  Church. 

But  no  measures  were  taken  for  procuring  a schoolhouse 
before  1736;  Avhen  it  was  voted  to  erect  one,  twenty  by  six- 
teen feet,  and  six  and  a half  feet  ‘‘  between  joynts,’’  — to  be 
placed  about  ten  rods  north  of  the  Meeting-house,  in  the 
most  convenantest  place.”  The  spot  finally  adopted  seems 
to  have  been  close  by  the  road  upon  the  Common,  a foAv  rods 
east  of  the  then  Meeting-house. 

In  1741,  the  toAvn  had  to  raise  a hundred  pounds  to  cover 
and  finish  the  Meeting-house,  till  then  unfinished;  and,  in 
1743,  to  enlarge  it. 

These  Avere  some  of  the  sources  of  expense  which  weighed 
heuAuly  upon  the  toAvn.  There  was,  moreover,  a difficulty  in 
raising  money  by  taxation,  from  the  lands  of  the  town  being 
held  in  such  large  quantities  by  single  proprietors,  and  so 
large  a proportion  of  them  being  not  only  unimproved,  but, 
many  of  them,  held  by  non-resident  proprietors.  Thus,  in  1737, 
John  Lynde  oAAmed  eighteen  hundred  acres  ; Paul  Dudley, 
five  hundred ; Thomas  Steel,  five  hundred  ; Joseph  Willard,  a 
thousand  ; Richard  Southgate,  seven  hundred  and  seventy ; 
Jonathan  Witt,  four  hundred  ; John  Clark,  four  hundred  and 
ninety;  George  Cradock,  three  hundred  and  forty-two;  Jonas 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


57 


Clark,  five  hundred ; &c.  Five  of  the  above  nine  were  non- 
residents of  the  town. 

The  wliole  Province  was  suffering  from  embarrassments 
incident  to  the  condition  of  a young  State,  with  a sparse  agri 
cultural  population  in  the  interior,  and  a limited  and  feeble 
trade  and  commerce  on  the  seaboard ; while  upon  such  a com- 
munity rested  the  burdens  of  frequent  wars,  from  which  they 
were  not  fully  relieved  till  the  fall  of  Quebec  in  1759.  Various 
schemes  were  suggested  for  obtaining  relief  in  the  Province, 
which  elicited  much  discussion,  and  gave  rise  to  strong  parti- 
san feelings,  that  divided  the  counsels  of  the  government 
for  many  years.  I allude  to  these  here  because  the  fruits 
of  some  of  the  measures  to  which  they  led  appear  on  the 
records  of  the  proceedings  of  the  town. 

The  ill-fated  expedition  against  Canada  in  1690  created  an 
expense  of  fifty  thousand  pounds  to  the  Province  of  Massachu- 
setts ; and,  to  meet  this  extraordinary  demand,  the  Province 
issued  bills  of  credit,  designed  to  pass  as  currency,  to  the 
amount  of  forty  thousand  pounds.  Another  issue,  of  ten 
thousand  pounds,  was  made  in  1702  ; a third,  of  thirty  thou- 
sand pounds,  was  made  in  1709  ; and  ten  thousand  more, 
in  1711;  which  last -issue  was  made  in  view  of  a second 
expedition  against  Canada  to  dislodge  the  French.  This,  like 
the  former,  was  unsuccessful. 

In  1714,  three  parties  grew  up  in  the  Province  : one  in 
favor  of  returning  to  a specie  currency ; one  for  establishing 
a land  bank,  as  it  was  called,  — being  a private  bank ; and  the 
third  for  a system  of  loaning  its  own  bills  by  the  Province  to 
its  inhabitants,  on  interest.  The  latter  project  prevailed  ; and 
fifty  thousand  pounds,  in  bills  of  the  Province,  were  put  into 
the  hands  of  five  trustees  to  loan  at  five  per  cent  interest. 
Three  of  these  trustees  — Judge  Davenport,  Thomas  Hutch- 
inson, and  John  White  — were  proprietors  of  the  town  of 
Leicester.  In  1716,  a hundred  thousand  pounds  was  issued 
in  government  bills  of  credit,  and  put  into  the  Ijands  of  county 

8 


58 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


trustees,  to  be  loaned  on  mortgage-security  for  ten  years  at 
five  per  cent.  In  1720,  the  House  voted  another  issue  of  a 
hundred  thousand  pounds ; which,  however,  was  stopped  in 
the  Council : but,  the  next  year,  a loan  of  fifty  thousand 
pounds  was  granted,  to  be  distributed  among  the  towns  in 
proportion  to  their  respective  taxes.  In  1724,  a new  loan 
of  thirty  thousand  pounds  was  issued  ; and,  though  they  had 
been  received,  for  taxes  and  the  like,  into  the  treasuiy,  there 
were  outstanding,  in  1725,  over  two  hundred  thousand  pounds 
of  these  bills  of  credit.  But  although,  for  currency,  they  had 
depreciated  to  less  than  half  their  nominal  value,  in  1728  a 
new  emission  was  made  of  sixty  thousand  pounds.  They 
were  issued  to  towns  in  proportion  to  their  taxes.  These  were 
authorized  to  let  this  substitute  for  money  at  six  per  cent ; 
accounting  to  the  Province  for  four,  and  paying  one  to  the 
trustees,  — thus  saving  one  towards  town-charges.  Leicester 
had  the  folly  to  accept  their  share  of  this  loan ; and  appointed 
trustees  to  take  charge  of  it,  with  instructions  not  to  let  more 
than  ten  pounds,  nor  less  than  five,  in  any  single  loan. 

Up  to  1737,  the  purport  of  the  bills  issued  had  been,  that 
they  should  be  in  value  equal  to  money,  and  be  accordingly 
accepted  by  the  treasurer,  &c.,  in  all  public  payments.’’  In 
that  year,  an  emission  was  made  in  the  usual  form  ; and 
another,  of  nine  thousand  pounds,  in  a different  form,  — the 
tenor  and  effect  of  which  were,  that  they  should  “ be  in  value 
equal  to  three  ounces  of  coined  silver,  troy  weight,  of  sterling 
alloy  ; or  gold  coin,  at  the  rate  of  <£4.  18s.  per  ounce ; ” <fec. 
This  new  emission  took  the  name  of  “ new  tenor,”  the  former 
being  known  as  “ old  tenor ; ” and  the  proportion  of  value 
between  them  was  fixed  at  three  to  one.  But  the  practical 
value,  as  allowed  in  business,  was  four  to  one : that  is,  one  of 
the  new  was  worth  as  much  as  four  of  the  old  tenor  bills."^ 


* The  fncts  stated  above  are  derived  from  a very  useful  work,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Felt, 
called  an  Historical  Account  of  Massachusetts  Currency,  published  in  1839. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


59 


There  is  a vote,  on  the  records  of  the  town  in  1741,  to  take 
manufactory  bills  ” for  all  town-rates,  except  the  minister’s 
salary  ; and  another  for  receiving  land-bank  ” bills,  and  turn- 
ing them  into  old  money.”  These  bills  were  issued  by  a 
private  banking  company  in  direct  opposition  to  the  govern- 
ment. The  stockholders  gave  security,  to  the  amount  of  their 
stock,  upon  real  estate,  — for  which  they  received  these  bills, 
intended  to  pass  as  currency ; and  were  to  pay  three  per  cent 
interest  annually,  in  manufactures  of  a specified  character, — 
such  as  hemp,  flax,  wool, <fec., — at  such  prices  as  should  be  fixed 
by  the  directors.  As  these  bills  depended  upon  public  favor 
alone  for  their  currency,  many  of  the  towns  adopted  votes 
similar  to  that  of  Leicester  in  order  to  sustain  them.  There 
seems  to  have  grown  up  a paper-banking  mania  in  Massachu- 
setts about  1740,  which  no  efibrt  of  the  government  could 
repress.  It  appears  that  the  people  of  Leicester  shared  the 
common  mania  in  the  Province  to  engage  in  the  scheme  of  a 
bank  of  issue  : and  I find  amoug  its  citizens  who  were  held 
responsible  as  shareholders,  and  against  whom  legal  process 
was  issued  in  1744,  the  names  of  James  Jackson,  assessed 
eighty  pounds ; Benjamin  Johnson,  forty  pounds  ; and  Ichabod 
Merritt,  Joseph  Shaw,  and  Josiah  Bobinson,  the  amounts  of 
whose  assessments  are  not  stated. 

Without  taking  up  any  more  time  upon  this  subject, — which 
has  been  introduced  by  way  of  explanation,  — I may  remark, 
that  the  substitution  of  such  a currency  in  the  Province  led 
to  the  sending  abroad  of  all  the  gold  and  silver  to  pay  debts 
and  make  purchases,  where  those  bills  Avould  not  pass  : and 
the  consequence  was,  they  went  on  depreciating ; so  that 
when  the  Province  received  from  the  mother-country,  in  part 
of  the  expenses  incurred  in  the  Louisburg  expedition  in  1745, 
£183, ()49  in  gold  and  silver,  it  was  employed  in  redeeming 
these  bills,  at  the  rate  of  one  specie  dollar  for  forty-five 
shillings  old-tenor  bills  ; and,  for  new  tenor,  eleven  shillings 
and  threepence.  The  amount  redeemed  was  the  incredible 


60 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


sum  of  <£1,792,236.  This  was  in  1750;  and  all  debts  con- 
tracted after  that  were  payable  in  silver  at  6s.  8d.  per  ounce, 
which  took  the  name  of  “ laAvful  money.”  The  effect  of  this 
depreciation  in  the  currency  Avas  one  of  the  causes  of  the 
unhappy  controversies  that  greAv  up  betAveen  the  toAvn  and 
their  minister  (the  ~Rey.  Mr.  Parsons),  Avhich  Avill  be  spoken 
of  more  at  lengtli  hereafter. 

To  recur  to  the  subject  of  schools.  I have  little  more  to 
add  than  Avhat  may  be  found  in  an  able  and  interesting  report 
upon  the  subject,  from  the  pen  of  Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq., 
Avhich  I hawe  ventured  to  add  as  an  Appendix  to  this  Avork. 

John  Lynde,  jun.,  the  first  schoolmaster,  Avas  the  son  of 
John  Lynde  of  Malden;  was  born  in  1710,  and  remoAmd  to 
Leicester  Avith  his  father.  The  family  Avere  connected  Avith 
the  Greens  by  the  marriage  of  Dr.  Thomas  Avith  a sister  of  the 
father.  From  the  son  being  but  tAventy-one  years  old  Avhen 
lie  first  kept  the  school,  and  his  father,  though  a large  land- 
holder, having  been  a farmer,  it  is  not  probable  that  he  could 
have  had  many  advantages  for  an  education  ; since  he  proba- 
bly came  to  Leicester  Avhen  he  was  less  than  ten  years  old, 
and  there  had  neAmr  been  a school  there  Avhich  he  could  have 
attended.  He  settled  and  became  a substantial  citizen  in 
Leicester,  Avhere  he  married,  and  raised  up  a family.  As  he 
Avas,  by  the  vote  of  the  toAvn,  a schoolmaster  to  reed  and 
Avright”  merely,  the  Avant  of  a finished  education  seems  not 
to  haAm  stood  in  the  Avay  of  his  being  employed  as  such  tAvo 
or  three  subsequent  years. 

Joshua  Nichols,  the  second  schoolmaster  in  order,  was  em- 
ployed to  keep  a school  in  tAvo  places,  in  1736,  for  one  month 
each;  but,  for  some  reason,  completed  only  a single  month.  He 
Avas  a tailor  by  trade,  and  came  from  Malden.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  — sister  of  Dr.  Thomas,  — 
and  probably  Avas  in  mature  life  Avhen  he  removed  ; for  Ave 
find  him  elected  an  assessor  at  the  first  recorded  toAvn-meet- 
ing,  in  1722.  He  had  a family  of  six  children,  the  oldest  of 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


61 


whom  was  born  in  March,  1721.  He  was  employed  in  many 
town-offices,  and  appears  to  have  been  a man  of  influence  in 
its  affairs. 

I do  not  find  that  Mr.  Cooledge,  Mr.  Gibbons,  or  Mr.  Bullard, 
— who  were  early  schoolmasters  here,  — were  ever  residents 
in  town,  except  to  keep  the  - school  for  shorter  or  longer 
periods,  as  stated  in  the  report  referred  to ; nor  have  I been 
able  to  learn  any  thing  of  their  personal  history. 

After  these,  Pliny  Lawton,  who  will  be  noticed  among  the 
physicians  of  the  town,  was  employed  during  1747  and  a part 
of  1748.  Solomon  Parsons,  who  will  be  noticed  in  the  same 
connection,  was  employed  in  1751;  and  Dr.  John  Honeywood, 
in  1753.^' 

There  was  an  organization  of  the  town  into  school-districts, 
in  1776;  which  I shall  have  occasion  to  notice  in  another 
connection,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  names  and  resi- 
dences of  the  families  then  dwelling  in  the  town. 

I am  able  to  give  quite  a complete  list  of  the  Bepresenta- 


* I have  mentioned  the  time  of  erection  and  the  locality  of  the  first  schoolhouse. 
The  second  was  built  upon  the  noi'th  side  of  the  Great  Road,  where  the  brick  factoiy 
stands,  formerly  of  Col.  J.  D.  Sargent.  This  was  some  time  before  1762.  The  next 
schoolhouse  in  the  Centre  District  was  erected  in  1791,  and  was  placed  about  six 
rods  east  of  the  house  of  J.  A.  Smith,  Esq.,  opposite  what  was  called  the  Crossmau 
Road,  where  it  enters  the  Great  Post  Road,  So  long  as  I attended  school  there,  — 
though  it  was  improved  afterwards,  — it  was  the  perfection  of  discomfort,  and  of  ill 
adaptation  for  its  purpose.  The  outside  had  originally  been  painted  with  Spanish 
brown,  much  of  which  had  been  washed  off  by  the  weather.  The  outer  door  opened 
into  an  entry  that  ran  along  the  west  side  of  the  house,  — wholly  unfinished,  — in  which 
wood  was  stored  for  the  fire,  and  into  which  the  chimney  for  warming  the  house 
projected  its  bare  brick  walls.  The  house  was  warmed  — so  far  as  such  a thing  was 
possible  — by  a huge  wood-fire,  built  in  an  immense  fireplace;  around  which  some 
of  the  scholars  were  always  gathered  to  warm  their  feet,  which  grew  cold  again  the 
moment  they  had  taken  their  seats.  This  kept  up  a constant  circulation  between 
the  seats  and  the  fire  in  cold  weather.  These  seats,  or  benches,  were  narrow,  and 
intolerably  hard;  and  extended  the  whole  length  of  the  building,  with  the  exception  of 
passage-waj's  in  the  middle  and  at  each  end.  In  these  cramped-up,  crowded  pens,  the 
pupil  wrote,  ciphered,  and  studied,  without  ever  associating  any  thing  but  aching  limbs 
and  stiffened  joints  with  the  acquisition  of  a schoolboy’s  knowledge.  The  condition 
of  what  were  called  the  “little  scholars”  was  even  worse.  They  were  ranged  around 
the  open  area  in  front  of  the  fire,  — upon  low.  narrow  seats,  the  backs  of  which  were  the 
fronts  of  the  desks  above  them,  — with  nothing  to  lean  upon.  My  bones  still  ache  at 
the  recollection. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


&2 

tives  to  the  General  Court  that  have  been  chosen  bj  the 
town.  It  should  be  remembered,  that,  until  a late  period, 
each  town  paid  its  own  representative.  The  consequence 
was,  that  towns  often  refused  to  be  represented,  and  were 
occasionally  fined  by  ■ the  General  Court  for  the  neglect. 
Sometimes  a hard  and  sharp  bargain  was  driven  with  a 
candidate,  to  reduce  the  price  at  which  he  was  to  serve 
them. 

Their  first  representative  (in  1721)  was  Judge  Menzies,  who 
will  be  mentioned  hereafter.  When,  the  following  year,  the 
town  voted  to  pay  him  for  the  service,  he  declined  accepting 
compensation  ; and  they  thereupon  voted  him  to  be  their 
representative  for  the  year  1722.  He  was  again  elected,  in 
1723;  and  was  paid  by  a vote  of  thanks,  as  he  declined  any 
pecuniary  satisfaction. 

The  town  then  voted,  that  wdioever  should  be  chosen  the 
year  1724  should  be  paid  the  same  as  Judge  Menzies;  and 
Lieut.  Thomas  Xewhall  was  elected  to  serve  on  the  con- 
ditions aforesaid.’^ 

The  next  year  (1725),  Judge  Menzies  was  again  chosen; 
but  from  that  time  to  1733  they  were  not  represented.  This 
covered  the  time  while  the  town  was  subjected  to  constant 
annoyance  and  expense  in  consequence  of  their  difficulties 
with  their  minister,  which  may  account  for  their  being  un- 
willing to  incur  any  additional  expense. 

In  1733,  Josiah  Converse  was  chosen  for  a single  year. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  Converse,  a blacksmith;  and  came 
with  his  father  from  Woburn.  He  lived  in  the  westerly  part 
of  the  town,  upon  a farm  which  he  exchanged  with  Christopher 
J.  Lawton,  Esq.,  in  1735;  and  removed  to  Brookfield,  where 
he  afterwards  lived. 

The  order  in  which  the  town  was  subsequently  represented 
was  as  follows  : 1736,  ’40,  and  ’41,  by  Christopher  J.  Lawton 
(who  will  be  noticed  hereafter) ; 1745,  ’46,  ’47,  Daniel  Denny  ; 
1749,  ’50,  ’56,  ’57,  ’58,  ’59,  ’61,  ’62,  ’64,  ’65,  ’67,  ’68,  John 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


63 


Brown;  * 1752,  ’53,  ’54,  ’55,  Thomas  Steel;  1770,  ’71,  ’72,  ’73, 
’74,  Thomas  Denny;  1774,  balance  of  term;  1775,  delegate, 
Joseph  Henshaw  ; 1775,  Hezekiah  Ward,  delegate  ; 1776, 
Seth  Washburn;  1777,  Seth  Washburn  and  Samuel  Green; 
1778,  ’79,  Seth  Washburn;  1780,  Seth  Washburn  and  William 
Henshaw;  1781,  ’82,  ’83,  ’88,  Seth  Washburn;  1786,  John 
Lyon;  1787,  Col.  Samuel  Denny;  1791, ’92, ’94,  1800,  1801, 
Thomas  Denny;  1796,  ’98,  William  Henshaw  ; 1803,  ’4,  ’5,  ’6, 
’8,  ’ll,  ’25,  ’28,  ’41,  Nathaniel  P.  Denny;  1809,  ’10,  ’21,  ’22, 
’29,  John  Hobart;  1812,  ’13,  ’14,  ’15,  ’16,  ’17,  Austin  Flint; 
1819-20,  John  King;  1826,  ’27,  Emory  Washburn;  1830, 
Nathaniel  P.  Denny,  Waldo  Flint;  1831  and  ’32,  John  Hobart 
and  John  King;  1833,  Waldo  Flint  and  Joshua  Murdoch; 
1834,  Reuben  Meriam  and  Joshua  Murdoch  ; 1835,  Silas 
Earle  and  Cheney  Hatch ; 1836,  Cheney  Hatch  and  Thomas 
Sprague;  1837,  Thomas  Sprague  and  Isaac  Southgate;  1838, 
Samuel  Watson  and  Joseph  D.  Sargent;  1839,  Isaac  South- 
gate  and  Samuel  Watson ; 1840,  Isaac  Southgate  and  David 
Henshaw  ; 1842-43,  John  Sargent ; 1844,  ’45,  John  Woodcock  ; 
1847,  Henry  A.  Denny;  1848-49,  Dwight  Bisco ; 1850-51, 
Samuel  Watson  ; 1852,  Abram  Firth  ; 1855,  John  D.  Cogs- 
well; 1856,  Lucius  Woodcock;  1857,  Hanson  L.  Reed;  1858, 
Joseph  A.  Denny;  1860,  John  D.  Cogswell. 

The  following  persons  have  been  members  of  the  Senate 
of  Massachusetts  while  residents  in  this  town  : viz.,  Seth 
Washburn,  1780  and  ’81-’84,  ’85,  ’86,  and  ’87;  Nathaniel  P. 
Denny,  1823  and  ’24  ; Waldo  Flint,  1835-6. 


* Capt.  Brown  is  more  than  once  mentioned  in  this  work.  He  had  held  a captain’s 
commission  in  the  French  War;  took  part  in  the  taking  of  Louisburg,  and,  at  tliat 
time,  paid  a large  tax  for  his  property;  represented  the  town  twelve  years  with  great 
acceptance:  took  a leading  part  during  the  Revolution,  and  had  three  sons  in  the  ser- 
vice. It  is  painful,  therefore,  to  read  the  record  of  a meeting  of  the  town,  called 
in  1778  to  see  if  they  would  redeem  a certain  mortgage,  in  order  to  “ indemnify  them- 
selves from  the  maintenance  of  Capt.  John  Brown.”  He  was  then  eighty-five  years 
old.  His  wife  was  the  aunt  of  Hon.  John  Cotfin  Jones;  but  probably,  like  many  of 
his  contemporaries,  he  had  devoted  heart  and  hand  to  win  a nation’s  independence 
at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own. 


64 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  delegates  from  the  town  to  the  Convention  which 
formed  the  Constitution  in  1779  were  Seth  Washburn  and 
William  Henshaw.  Col.  Samuel  Denny  was  their  delegate  to 
the  Convention  that  met  to  consider  the  question  of  adopting 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  in  January,  1788.  Col. 
Henry  Sargent  was  their  delegate  to  the  Convention  which 
met  in  1821  for  revising  the  State  Constitution ; and  Hiram 
Knight,  Esq.,  of  that  for  its  second  revision,  in  1853. 

As  the  proprietors’  half  of  the  town  was  much  more  slowly 
settled  than  the  eastern  half,  though  they  continued  to  form 
one  corporation,  great  complaint  was  made  that  the  settlers’ 
half  enjoyed  more  than  a fair  share  of  the  offices,  while  a full 
proportion  of  burdens  fell  upon  the  western  half. 

But,  though  the  majority  appear  not  to  have  hesitated 
in  exercising  their  legal  powers,  there  does  not  seem  to 
have  been  any  disposition  to  retain  this  power ; for,  in 
1741,  the  town  voted  to  consent  to  the  westerly  half  being 
set  off  into  a new  town.  A petition  was  accordingly  pre- 
sented to  the  General  Court,  who  passed  a Bill  to  that 
effect ; but  the  Governor  (Shirley)  refused  his  assent  to  the 
Bill,  and  the  measure  failed.  It  was  renewed  in  1744,  and 
resulted  in  the  incorporation  of  the  western  half  into  a 
^jvecinci. 

There  still  remained  sources  of  difference  between  the  two 
parts ; one  of  which  was  a complaint  on  the  western  part, 
that  the  town  would  not  lay  out  roads  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  people  residing  there.  The  eastern  half  answered, 
that,  when  the  lands  in  that  part  of  the  town  were  laid  out, 
sufficient  of  these  had  been  appropriated  for  roads ; whereas 
no  such  reserve  had  been  made  by  the  proprietors  of  the 
other  half  when  it  was  divided  among  them.  The  matter 
came  before  the  Legislature  in  1749,  and  a new  Act,  incor- 
porating the  western  half,  was  passed ; but  was  again  vetoed 
by  Lieut.-Gov.  Spencer  Phipps,  because  the  effect  of  it  would 
be  to  increase  the  number  of  representatives  in  the  General 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


65 


Court.  Nor  was  the  separation  effected  between  the  two 
parts  of  the  town  until  1753,  when  an  Act  was  passed,  creat- 
ing the  second  precinct  into  a district;  which  was,  in  effect, 
a town  to  all  intents,  except  having  the  privilege  of  sending 
a representative  to  the  General  Court,  for  which  purpose  it 
still  remained  united  with  Leicester. 

But  the  attempts  to  dismember  the  town  did  not  meet 
with  the  same  favor,  when,  in  1743,  a petition  was  presented 
by  several  to  have  a town  set  off  from  Worcester  and  Leices- 
ter, substantially  as  Ward  (now  Auburn)  subsequently  was ; 
and  another,  to  set  off  a part  of  the  town  to  Rutland  as  a 
precinct.  The  town  voted  to  oppose  these,  and  were  success- 
ful in  so  doing. 

In  1761,  an  attempt  was  made  to  have  a new  town  — Paxton 
— created  out  of  the  north  part  of  Leicester,  and  the  south 
part  of  Rutland,  upon  the  petition  of  John  Smith  ; and  the 
same  thing  was  moved  again  the  following  year,  upon  the  peti- 
tion of  Oliver  Witt.  Both  of  these  petitions  were  resisted 
by  Leicester,  and,  for  a while,  with  success.  But,  the  follow- 
ing year,  the  town  favored  the  movement : and  it  resulted  in 
the  incorporation  of  Paxton  in  1765. 

Ward  (afterwards  called  Auburn)  was  incorporated  as  a 
town  in  1778. 

A vote  of  the  town  in  1754  is  not  very  intelligible  without 
some  explanation  ; for  which  I avail  myself  of  the  first 
volume  of  the  Collections  of  the  American  Statistical  Asso- 
ciation, prepared  by  Mr.  Felt.  The  vote  was  unanimously 
to  disapprove  of  the  Excise  Bill  passed  by  the  Assembly  at 
their  last  sitting.”  • 

The  taxes  at  this  time  had  become  heavy;  and  the  House 
were  desirous  of  relieving,  as  far  as  they  could,  the  polls  and 
estates  from  this  burden ; and,  to  do  this,  contrived  a plan  for 
laying  an  excise  upon  wines  and  spirituous  liquors  consumed 
by  the  people.  The  Council  refused  to  approve  of  it.  Gov. 
Shirley  sent  for  the  House  into  the  Council  Chamber,  and 

9 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


there  stated  his  objection  to  the  measure,  that  it  would  be 
inconsistent  with  the  natural  rights  of  every  private  family 
to  be  subjected  to  keep  and  render  an  account  of  the  quan- 
tity of  excise  liquors  which  they  consumed  in  their  private 
houses. 

The  House  immediately  ordered  the  objectionable  part  of 
the  Bill  to  be  printed,  and  sent  to  every  town  for  considera- 
tion ; which  led  to  the  above  vote  of  this  town.  The  towns 
voted,  — some,  that  it  was  contrary  to  their  liberties  ; and 
some,  that  it  was  not.  The  measure,  however,  was  dropped 
for  a short  time ; but  passed,  with  some  amendments,  in 
December,  1754. 

Out  of  this  grew  a memorable  pamphlet,  styled  “ The  Mon- 
ster of  Monsters,”  attacking  the  Bill  and  the  House.  The 
latter  voted  it  a scandalous  libel,  and  imprisoned  the  pub- 
lisher, after  having  ordered  the  pamphlet  to  be  burned  by 
the  common  hangman.  For  this  imprisonment,  the  speaker, 
the  messenger  of  the  House,  and  the  jailer,  were  sued ; 
and  the  Province  employed  Edmund  Trowbridge,  James  Otis, 
and  Jeremy  Gridley,  — three  of  the  best  and  most  learned 
lawyers  in  the  country,  — to  defend  them ; and  the  suit 
resulted  in  the  acquittal  of  the  parties  charged. 

The  prices  which  certain  things  bear  at  different  periods 
are  a subject  of  curious  and  interesting  inquiry,  as  serving 
to  test  the  comparative  value  of  the  circulating  medium 
in  cases  where  the  relation  of  supply  and  demand  shall  be 
the  same.  Laws  have,  for  this  purpose,  been  passed  at  times, 
fixing  arbitrary  prices  to  labor,  wheat,  corn,  wool,  and  the 
like  ; as  if  legislation  were  as  strong  as  the  imperative  laws 
of  trade.  But  still  they  may  serve  as  an  approximate  test  of 
the  value  of  the  common  medium  of  exchange,  — whether 
gold  and  silver,  or  issues  of  paper  promises ; and,  at  the  same 
time,  the  comparative  value  of  the  same  things  at  different 
periods  of  time.  A few  only  of  these,  however,  can  I give ; 
and,  such  as  they  are,  they  may  not  be  very  satisfactory. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


67 


In  1726,  four  shillings  per  day  were  allowed  for  work  on 
the  garrison. 

In  1733,  the  pay  of  the  schoolmaster  was  four  pounds  ten 
shillings  per  month.  This  was  in  a depreciated  currency  ; 
and,  in  1737,  the  price  was  six  pounds  per  month:  which,  at 
the  rate  of  calculation  between  new  and  old  tenor  money, 
would  be,  in  the  former  year,  about  twenty  shillings  — 
nominally  three  dollars  and  a third  — per  month,  though  con- 
siderably less,  in  fact,  in  silver  money. 

In  1720,  the  town  paid  Mr.  Parsons,  their  minister,  seventy- 
five  pounds  per  annum,  salary.  In  1736,  they  were  to  pay 
Mr.  Goddard  three  hundred  pounds,  with  one  hundred  pounds 
settlement ; which  was  but  about  the  same  as  that  paid  Mr. 
Parsons,  allowing  for  depreciation,  if  the  salary  of  the  latter 
was  calculated  upon  money  at  par.  In  1753,  they  fixed  the 
salary  of  Mr.  Roberts  at  £133.  6s.  3d.,  silver  money,  at  6s.  8d. 
per  ounce  ; whereas,  when  Mr.  Goddard  was  settled,  silver 
was  worth  27s.  6d.  per  ounce,  and  had  risen,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  to  60s.,  — or,  what  is  the  same,  the  paper  currency  had 
depreciated  in  that  time  more  than  a hundred  per  cent.  Mr. 
Conklin’s  salary,  in  1763,  was  fixed  at  the  same  as  that  of 
Mr.  Roberts  ten  years^before.  Dr.  Moore’s  salary,  in  1797, 
was  fixed  at  four  hundred  dollars.  But,  to  show,  somewhat, 
the  rate  of  depreciation  in  the  paper  money  in  the  mean  time, 
the  town  added,  in  1779,  five  hundred  pounds  to  Mr.  Conklin’s 
salary  for  a single  year  ; which  was,  in  fact,  but  a hundred 
dollars  in  value. 

In  1779,  a convention  of  delegates  from  the  towns  met  at 
Concord, — of  which  Mr.  Henry  King  was  a member  from 
Leicester,  — for  fixing  the  prices  which  might  be  charged  for 
the  common  necessaries  of  life.  Among  these  were  corn,  £3. 
12s.  per  bushel ; labor  in  husbandry,  £2. 14s.  per  day;  beef,  per 
pound,  2s.  6d. ; wool,  £1.  4s. ; and  men’s  shoes,  £6  per  pair.* 


* In  1777,  Miissachusetts  passed  what  was  called  a Monopoly  Bill,  fixing  the  prices 
above  which  no  man  should  charge  for  the  articles  specified.  Among  these  were  beef. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


b8 


I have  before  me  a bill  for  time  and  expense  of  an  officer 
“in  getting  along  the  six-months’  men”  in  1780  ; and  among 
the  items  are  seventy  dollars  for  an  advertisement  in  the 
Worcester  paper,  and  thirty  dollars  for  tico  dinners. 

In  1776,  the  town  allowed  their  delegate  to  the  Provincial 
Congress  five  shillings  per  day ; and  the  same  price  was  paid 
to  their  representative  in  1786.* * 

But  I forbear  entering  into  further  detail  upon  this  part  of 
our  subject,  and  pass  to  other  topics. 

In  1793,  a Social  Library  was  formed  in  town;  and  its  pro- 
prietors held  their  first  meeting,  Dec.  10  of  that  year,  at  the 
house  of  Dr.  Austin  Flint.  The  number  of  volumes  in  this 
library,  however,  has  never  done  justice  to  the  character  of 
the  town  as  a reading  people. 

In  1812,  the  members  of  the  Fire-engine  Company,  then 
recently  formed,  commenced  a new  library  with  much  spirit, 
and  for  a while  with  good  success ; but  it  was  soon  after 
merged  in  the  old  organization. 

In  1829,  another  library  was  commenced,  consisting  of  more 
modern  works.  For  many  }^ears  it  was  used  by  its  proprie- 
tors; but,  in  1858,  it  was,  like  the  former  one,  merged  in  the 


3d.  and  4d.  per  pound;  wheat,  7s.  6d.  per  bushel;  cotton,  3s.  per  pound  by  the  bag, — 
3s.  8d.  per  single  pound,  — at  the  port  where  first  landed  from  the  West  Indies;  English 
hay,  5s.  per  hundredweight;  West-India  rum,  6s.  8d.  per  gallon  by  the  hogshead, — 
7s.  8d.  single  gallon;  wool,  2s.  per  pound.  The  scale  of  depreciation  in  1779  was 
based  upon  assuming  the  prices  of  some  of  these  articles  as  the  par,  upon  which  the 
depreciation  should  be  calculated. 

* I have  memoranda  of  the  travelling  expenses  of  the  member  of  the  convention 
in  1779  from  Leicester,  and  of  the  representative  from  that  town  in  1788;  which  I 
give  for  several  purposes:  first,  to  show  the  nominal  value  of  money  at  these  times; 
secondly,  the  mode  of  performing  the  journey;  and,  thirdly,  the  habits  of  the  most 
temperate  men  of  that  day. 

“ Set  out  for  Cambridge  to  the  convention,  Oct.  27,  1779.  An  account  of  what  I 
spent:  To  oats,  5s.;  to  dinner,  18s.;  to  flip,  9s.;  to  supper  and  lodging  and  horsekeep- 
ing, £1.  10s. ; to  bi-eakfast,  12s. ; to  shaving,  6s. ; to  flip,  9s. ; paid  board  15  days,  £46. 4s.” 

The  pay  per  day  of  the  representative  in  1788  was  four  shillings.  “ May  27,  1788, 
set  out  from  Leicester  to  Boston  to  Court.  Got  down  by  six  o’clock  that  day.  Spent 
a-going  down:  To  sling  in  the  morning,  5d.;  to  half  a bowl  of  toddy,  5d.;  to  a mess 
of  oats,  4d.;  to  dinner.  Is.;  to  bating  my  horse,  4d.;  to  toddy,  6d.;  to  oats,  4d.;  to 
grog, 3d.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


69 


original  Social  Library.  The  latter  now  contains  about  nin^ 
hundred  volumes. 

I should  be  glad  to  speak  in  this  connection,  if  I had  proper 
data,  of  a Literary  Association,  which  was  organized,  and  pur- 
sued its  purposes  for  many  years  with  admirable  spirit  and 
brilliant  success,  among  the  younger  ladies  of  the  town.  It 
had  its  origin  some  fifty  years  since.  It  was  what  it  professed 
to  be,  — a literary  association ; holding  meetings  at  regular 
brief  intervals,  in  which  the  amenities  of  kindly  social  inter- 
course were  united  with  the  fruits  of  a refined  taste  and  a 
cultivated  intellect ; and  tradition  has  done  no  more  than 
justice  to  the  high  rank  to  which,  in  its  day,  it  helped  to 
elevate  the  female  society  of  the  town.  The  records  of  the 
Association  have  shared  the  fate  of  the  many  bright  thoughts 
and  sage  refiections  to  which  its  social  hours  gave  utterance ; 
and  both  are  irrecoverably  lost.  History  can  only  now  record 
the  fact  that  it  once  existed,  flourished  many  years,  and  dis- 
appeared. 


TO 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY. 

MEETING-HOUSE.— MR.  PARSONS.  — MR.  GODDARD.  — MR.  ROBERTS.— 
MR.  CONKLIN.— MR.  MOORE.— MR.  NELSON. — MR.  DENISON.  — MR. 
COOLEDGE.  — SECOND  MEETING-HOUSE.  — SACRED  MUSIC.  — BAP- 
TISTS.— QUAKERS.  — METHODISTS.  — UNITARIAN  SOCIETY.  — JEWS.  — 
CATHOLICS. 

There  are  no  records  preserved  of  the  early  condition  of  the 
cimrch  connected  with  the  Congregational  Society,  or  First 
Parish,  in  Leicester ; and  it  is,  therefore,  impossible  to  fix  the 
precise  period  of  its  organization.  From  the  known  custom, 
however,  which  so  generally  prevailed  in  settling  and  incor- 
porating towns  in  Massachusetts  at  that  period,  we  may  safely 
assume  that  a church  was  organized  as  early,  at  least,  as  the 
town  itself.  Every  town,  in  fact,  constituted  a parish,  though 
it  managed  its  parochial  affairs  by  means  of  its  municipal 
organization ; so  that,  as  soon  as  a church  had  been  gathered 
agreeably  to  the  usages  of  the  early  New-England  churches, 
the  town  was  ready  to  call  and  settle  a minister,  if  of  ability 
to  afford  him  the  necessary  support.  Although,  as  has  been 
stated,  the  first  recorded  meeting  of  the  town  was  held  on  the 
6th  (17th)  of  March,  1722,  a church,  as  well  as  the  town,  had 
been  organized  some  time  previous  to  that  date. 

A meeting-house  had  been  erected,  such  as  it  was,  in  1719 ; 
and  Avas  undoubtedly  done  by  the  town,  — for  its  records 
after  that  time  sIioav,  that  it  was  a frequent  subject  of  action 
on  the  part  of  the  town.  From  the  accounts  which  are 
gathered,  chiefly  from  records,  but  partly  from  personal  nar- 
ration of  living  witnesses,  the  house  must  have  been  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


71 


most  primitive,  plain,  and  cheap  character  imaginable.  It 
stood  nearly  in  front  of  the  present  one,  and  close  to  the  Great 
Road.  It  had  three  outside  doors,  one  upon  the  front  and  one 
at  each  end  of  the  house,  but  no  door-steps.  It  had  neither 
porch  nor  belfry  on  the  outside,  nor  pews  nor  gallery  in  the 
inside.  What  pews  it  ever  had,  were  built  by  individuals, 
to  whom  the  town  sold  pew-ground  ’’  from  time  to  time ; 
and  it  was  not  till  several  years  after  the  erection  of  the 
house,  that  all  these  “ pew-grounds  ” were  disposed  of."^  It 
had  small  windows,  made  of  diamond-shaped  glass ; and  these 
swung  upon  hinges,  instead  of  the  modern  mode  of  sliding 
sashes.  The  outside  was  clapboarded,  but  was  never  painted. 
The  finishing  of  the  interior  consisted  of  being  sealed  ” with 
boards,  from  the  fioor  to  what  was  called,  in  the  votes  of  the 
town,  the  great  girt  ” of  the  house.  But  it  is  pretty  certain 
that  the  ceiling  over  the  body  of  the  house  was  never  com- 
pleted ; so  that  it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive,  that  going  to 
meeting  upon  a sharp  winter’s  day,  in  those  times  of  long 
sermons,  before  stoves  had  been  invented,  was  a pretty 
serious  operation. 

The  general  style  of  the  work  in  the  interior  of  the  house 
may  be  judged  of  by  the  sum  which  was  paid,  in  1725,  to 
Jonathan  Watson  for  building  the  deacon’s  pew,”  — which, 
by  the  way,  had  never  been  built  before.  This  sum  was 
twelve  shillings.  A considerable  proportion  of  the  interior 
of  the  house  was  appropriated  to  body  ” seats,  or  seats 
which  were  public.  Those  Avest  of  the  centre  line  of  the 
house  were  occupied  by  the  men ; those  upon  the  east  side, 
by  the  Avomen. 

The  name  of  the  architect  of  this  singular  temple,  AAdiose 
order  of  architecture  history  has  not  preseiwed,  Avas,  there  is 
reason  to  believe,  Capt.  Eleazer  HoAve.  He  at  least  furnished 


* As  late  as  1743,  onl}'  fourteen  pews  had  been  built,  and  all  these  were  along  the 
walls  of  the  house. 


72 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  frame,  as  appears  by  a vote  in  1725,  ^Hliat  Capt.  William 
Wood  be  allowed  the  sum  of  two  pounds  one  shilling  and  ten- 
pence  ; being  in  full  of  all  Capt.  Eleazer  Howe’s  account  for 
the  Meeting-house  frame.”*  The  bill  for  the  underpinning 
of  the  house  amounted  to  four  pounds  twelve  shillings. 

In  1725,  the  town  began  to  take  measures  for  the  erection 
of  galleries  in  the  house.  Nothing  was  accomplished  then 
upon  the  subject,  and  it  came  up  again  for  discussion  in  1728. 
But  it  does  not  appear  when  they  were  built.f  The  access 
to  these  galleries  was  by  means  of  stairs  within  the  body 
of  the  house,  leading  to  them  at  the  south-east  and  south-west 
corners  of  the  same  ; and  we  may  judge  of  the  dimensions  of 
the  whole  structure  from  the  fact  that  there  was  only  space 
enough  for  one  pew,  between  the  door  at  the  west  end  and 
the  stairs  that  led  into  the  gallery.  This  pew  at  one  time 
belonged  to  Christopher  J.  Lawton,  Esq. ; and  I learn  the  facts 
I have  above  stated,  as  to  the  size  of  the  church,  from  the 
records  of  a lawsuit  which  grew  out  of  a controversy,  between 
him  and  Joshua  Nichols,  in  regard  to  the  ownership  of  that 
pew. 

The  house  continued  in  this  condition  until  1741 : it  had 
never  been  finished,  and  by  that  time  needed  to  be  newly 
covered.  The  town,  that  year,  accordingly  levied  a tax  of  a 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for  the  purpose  of  finishing  and 
covering  the  Meeting-house.  As  this  was  undoubtedly  old- 
tenor  ” money,  which  was  not  Avorth  more  than  one-quarter  as 
much  as  gold  or  silver,  the  amount  probably  did  not  exceed  a 
hundred  dollars  of  our  decimal  currency. 

The  galleries,  like  the  body  of  the  house,  were  provided 


* Besides,  the  records  show  that  Capt.  Howe  was  absolved  from  the  forfeiture  of  a 
certain  lot  of  land  from  not  having  settled  upon  it  by  a certain  day  in  1719;  it  having 
been  “ by  reason  the  said  Howe  was  building  the  meeting-house.” 

t A vote  was  adopted,  in  1728,  “ to  buy  a thousand  boards  to  build  galleries,  and 
build  our  part.”  At  the  same  time,  certain  persons  were  authorized  to  build  stables 
upon  the  town’s  land. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


73 


with  seats ; the  eastern  side  of  the  dividing-line  of  the  house 
being  occupied  by  the  women,  and  the  western  side  by  the 
men  : the  one  sex  making  use  of  one  pair  of  the  stairs  ; the 
other,  of  the  other  pair.  In  1741,  it  was  proposed  to  erect 
one  or  more  pews  in  the  front  gallery:  and  it  was  accordingly 
voted,  that  Noah  Jones,  Israel  Parsons,  Thomas  Richardson, 
jun.,'  James  Lawton,  jun.,  and  Nathan  Sargent  [who,  in  the 
warrant  calling  the  meeting,  had  been  called  ^ sume  young 
men’],  have,  and  it  is  hereby  granted  to  them,  liberty  to 
build  a pew  in  the  hind-seats  on  the  women’s  side  in  the 
front-gallery ; and  that  they,  and  each  of  them,  shall  take  it 
for  their  seat  in  the  Meeting-house.”  Peter  Silvester,  jun., 
Benjamin  Wheaton,  Joshua  Silvester,  Benjamin  Gilson,  and 
William  Green,  jun.,  had  a like  permission  to  build  a pew  in 
the  hind-seats  on  the  men’s  side  in  the  front-gallery. 

It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  that  this  was  many  years  before 
any  part  of  the  house  had  been  assigned  for  the  singers.  We 
shall  see,  as  we  proceed,  that  what  served  as  singing  was  of 
a congregational  character  at  that  time. 

There  seems  to  have  been  little  done  in  the  way  of  repair- 
ing the  house  until  1743,  though  the  subject  was  frequently 
agitated.  In  that  year,*^it  was  voted  to  make  an  addition  to 
the  back-side  of  the  Meeting-house,  twelve  feet  the  whole 
length  of  said  Meeting-house,”  and  ‘‘  to  have  a new  ruff  upon 
the  fleeting-house.”  It  was  also  voted  “to  move  the  pulpit  to 
the  back-side  of  the  Meeting-house  ; that  the  body  of  the 
fleeting-house  be  repaired  with  the  old  clapboards  that  come 
off  the  back-side  of  the  fleeting-house  ; and  also  to  have  steps 
at  the  door  of  the  Meeting-house : ” leaving  the  back-side, 
probably,  without  clapboards.  It  was  also  voted  “ that  the  in- 
side of  the  Meeting-house  be  sealed  all  around,  up  to  the 
plates,  with  good  white-pine  boards ; ” and  a hundred  pounds, 
old  tenor,  was  granted  towards  finishing  the  house.  The 
difficulty,  if  not  impossibility,  of  procuring  lime  at  that  time, 
was  doubtless  the  reason  for  making  use  of  the  style  of  inside 

10 


74 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


finish  which  it  was  voted  to  adopt.  The  town  still  continued 
to  sell  ‘‘  pew-grounds  ’’  for  the  erection  of  new  pews,  and  fixed 
the  prices  to  be  paid  for  the  same ; the  highest  being  twelve 
pounds,  old  tenor,  — something  less  than  ten  dollars  of  our 
currency. 

In  1754,  the  town  voted  to  put  up  a “ sounding-board  ” over 
the  pulpit.  It  must  have  been,  however,  because  a meeting- 
house, at  that  day,  was  not  deemed  complete  without  this 
appendage,  — or  because,  as  I suppose  was  the  case,  the  inte- 
rior was  open  to  the  rafters  of  the  roof,  — that  the  town 
incurred  the  charge  of  such  a structure  in  a house  of  no  larger 
dimensions  ; and  the  impressions  we  thus  derive  from  the 
records  of  the  town,  as  to  the  character  of  this  house,  were 
more  than  confirmed  by  the  statements  of  one  who  had  been 
familiar  with  it  in  childhood. 

The  contemplated  enlargement  was  made ; but  most  of  the 
principal  upright  timbers  which  had  supported  the  north 
side  of  the  house  remained  standing  and  exposed  to  view  in 
its  new  arrangement,  and  formed  striking  objects  of  notice,  if 
they  did  not  add  to  the  architectural  symmetry  of  the  design."^ 
Rough,  uncouth,  and  uncomfortable  as  this  structure  must 
have  been,  it  was  the  only  meeting-house  belonging  to  the 
town  until  1784,  when  the  present  one  was  erected. 

It  was,  moreover,  the  scene  of  gatherings  and  discussions 
of  the  deepest  local  interest ; and,  in  later  days,  of  high-toned 
eloquence  and  patriotism,  that  would  have  honored  a nobler 
temple  and  a wider  sphere. 

It  was  here  that  the  people  met  to  elect  and  settle  their 
first  minister ; it  was  here  that  they  came  together  so  often 
afterwards  to  adopt  measures  to  rid  themselves  of  their 

bondage  ” to  him ; and  it  was  here  that  the  fickle  tide  of 
favor  ebbed  and  rose  in  the  popular  mind  towards  one  who 


* In  1768,  it  was  voted  that  Joseph  Sargent,  Benjamin  Richardson,  and  Edward 
Bond,  be  a Committee  “ to  see  northerly  part  of  the  roof  of  the  fleeting-house  decently 
repaired.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


7o 


stood  towards  them  at  one  time  as  the  pastor  of  a Christian 
flock ; and,  at  another,  as  the  bitter  and  vindictive  adversary, 
who  again  and  again  put  at  nought  the  instructions  of  the 
apostle,  as  to  going  to  law  with  his  own  church  and  his  own 
people. 

The  man  selected  by  this  church  and  people  for  their  first 
minister  was  the  Rev.  David  Parsons.  He  then  belonged  to 
Malden,  and  had  been  settled  there  as  a minister  for  twelve 
years.  He  was  brother  of  Rev.  Joseph  Parsons,  who  had 
been  a considerable  landholder  in  Leicester ; and  he  had  him- 
self become  a proprietor  of  the  town.*  His  attention  had 
thus  been  directed  towards  it ; and  his  interest  in  its  people 
had  been  excited  by  the  removal  of  several  flimilies  from 
Malden,  and  their  settling  in  the  town.  A difficulty,  moreover, 
had  grown  up  between  him  and  the  society  over  which  he 
was  settled ; and  when,  therefore,  by  the  recommendation 
probably  of  his  former  townsmen,  he  was  invited  to  settle 
over  the  church  and  people  of  Leicester,  he  readily  accepted 
the  call. 

For  the  history  of  his  connection  with  the  society,  I pro- 
pose to  confine  myself  almost  exclusively  to  the  recorded 
proceedings  of  the  tmvn.  I shall,  in  'that  way,  be  in  less 
danger  of  doing  injustice  to  his  memory,  than  by  depending 
upon  traditions  in  respect  to  the  unhappy  controversies  which 


* Joseph  and  Da^’^d  were  the  grandsons  of  Joseph,  the  first  of  the  name  in  the 
country.  Re  was  in  Springfield  in  1636,  and  removed  to  Northampton  in  1655,  where 
the  Joseph  here  referred  to  was  born  in  1671.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard,  1697 ; and 
was  probably  brought  into  connection  with  the  Leicester  proprietors  by  marrying 
Elizabeth  Thompson  of  Roxbury.  He  was  settled  as  a minister  in  Lebanon,  Conn.; 
but  left  his  parish  before  1714,  and  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  engaged  extensively 
in  land  speculations,  w’as  a grantee  of  Rutland,  and  puchased  Richard  Draper’s  share 
in  Leicester.  He  was  one  of  the  grantees  in  the  settlers’  half  of  the  town,  as  pro- 
prietor of  lot  No.  23.  He  was  the  owner  of  several  other  lots,  on  one  of  which  he 
caused  a gristmill  to  be  erected,  — the  first  built  in  town,  — upon  the  outlet  of  Town- 
meadow  Brook.  He  never  resided  in  Leicester.  About  1718,  he  was  again  settled  as 
a minister  in  Salisbury,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  till  his  death,  in  1739,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-nine.  His  son  of  the  same  name  was  the  minister  of  North  Brookfield. — Hist. 
Geneal,  Register. 


76 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


imbittered  the  relation  between  them.  These  controversies 
were  chiefly  of  a personal  character,  and  do  not  seem  to 
have  partaken  in  the  least  of  differences  in  religious  opinions, 
in  imputations  upon  his  moral  character,  his  ability  as  a 
preacher,  or  of  the  strife  of  political  party.  It  would  be 
singular  if  there  were  not  faults  on  both  sides. 

At  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Leicester,  he  was  about  forty 
years  of  age.  He  came  there  under  the  most  flattering 
auspices ; and  there  seems  to  have  been  no  misgiving  upon 
the  part  of  the  people  in  settling  him,  as  was  the  usual  mode 
at  that  time,  for  life. 

The  first  vote  on  the  subject  is  recorded  upon  the  first 
page  of  the  town-records,  in  choosing  a Committee  to  lay 
out  the  vacant  land,  lying  northerly  from  Mr.  Carey’s,  to  Mr. 
Parsons,  if  he  settles  among  us.”  This  land  was  upon  the 
North  Road,  leading  over  Carey  Hill,  and  north  of  that  hill, 
next  to  land  laid  out  to  Arthur  Carey ; and  was  afterwards 
the  ministerial  land  of  the  town. 

There  had  been,  as  the  vote  implies,  a previous  action  on 
the  part  of  the  town  upon  the  subject  of  settling  Mr.  Parsons  ; 
and  in  the  History  of  Spencer,  by  Mr.  Draper,  we  find  the 
copies  of  two  letters  addressed  to  Mr.  Parsons,  which  contain 
a statement  of  the  votes  which  had  been  adopted  at  a meet- 
ing of  the  town,  Nov.  28,  1720,  about  three  months  prior  to 
the  vote  above  mentioned.  It  had  been  then  “ voted  that  the 
Rev.  David  Parsons  be  our  gospel  minister ; that  Mr.  Parsons 
have  the  fort}^-acre  lot  next  the  Meeting-house,  and  the  right, 
in  quantity  and  quality,  as  other  forty-acre  lots  drawn  in  after 
division  ; that  Mr.  Parsons  have  sixty  pounds’  settlement ; tliat 
Mr.  Parsons  have  sixty  pounds’  salary.” 

The  second  of  these  letters  was  addressed  to  him  two  days 
after  the  passage  of  the  above  votes  by  six  of  the  principal 
men  of  the  town,  — Thomas  Newhall,  William  Brown,  James 
Southgate,  Ralf  Earle,  Daniel  Denny,  and  Nathaniel  Richard- 
son, — and  contrasts  singularl}^  with  the  sentiments  which,  at 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


77 


a later  period,  were  entertained  towards  him  by  some  of  these 
men,  and  the  people  of  the  town  generally. 

“Rev.  Sir,  — We,  with  our  heart  and  consent,  do  call  and  invite 
you  to  be  our  settled  minister  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  amongst  us,  if 
you  see  cause  to  accept,  and  see  your  way  clear  to  remove.  But,  alas  ! 
if  we  reflect  back  upon  ourselves,  we  cannot  but  see  we  are  unworthy 
of  so  great  a blessing.  But,  if  you  have  such  a blessing  to  bestow  on 
us  as  we  hope  you  will  be,  we  desire  for  ever  to  praise  His  name  for 
his  goodness  to  usward.” 

This  blessing  ” was  bestowed  ” upon  the  town.  Let  its 
own  records  tell  how  they  enjoyed  it.  In  1732,  this  same 
Ralf  Earle  stands  at  the  head  of  the  list  recorded  as  “ of 
the  persuasion  of  those  commonly  called  Quakers.” 

Mr.  Parsons  replied  to  the  call  of  the  town  ; but  his  letter, 
though  it  encouraged  the  hope  that  he  might  be  induced  to 
accept,  suggested  such  difficulties  in  the  way,  that  thirty 
individuals  of  the  town  addressed  him  a letter,  in  January, 
1721,  wherein  they  engaged  to  add  forty^  pounds  to  his  settle- 
ment, and  fifteen  pounds  a year  to  his  salary ; and  conclude 
their  appeal  to  him  by  saying,  We  do  humbly  beg  a brief 
and  speedy  relief  under  the  difficulties  which  we  have  labored 
under  a long  time.”  This  seems  to  have  overcome  any  remain- 
ing scruples  in  Mr.  Parsons’s  mind  ; for  a meeting  was  had, 
upon  the  30th  of  March  following,  to  come  to  an  agreement 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  David  Parsons  as  to  his  settling  in  the  work 
of  the  ministry  among  us,  having  formerly  had  a call  to  it.” 

^Ir.  Parsons,  it  appears,  was  then  in  waiting  at  the  public- 
house  kept  by  Nathaniel  Richardson,  which  stood  where 
Capt.  Hiram  Knight’s  house  now  stands.  The  meeting  was, 
accordingly,  adjourned  from  the  Meeting-house  to  that  place, 
“ to  discuss  and  agree  with  ^Ir.  Parsons.”  — It  was  proposed, 
whether  the  town  be  of  the  mind  now  to  come  to  an  agree- 
ment with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons,  ijou  having  formerly  voted 
him  to  be  your  minister.  It  passed  in  the  affirmative.” — ^‘Mr. 
Parsons  being  called  in,  it  was  desired  that  he  would  show 


78 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


how  far  his  way  was  clear  to  leave  Malden  ; upon  which  he 
produced  and  read  the  judgment  of  a council  of  clerks  favor- 
ing his  remove.^’  — It  was  proposed  to  Mr.  Parsons,  whether 
he  was  ready  to  give  his  answer.  Mr.  Parsons  did  then  show 
his  resolution,  God  assisting  in  giving  opportunity,  to  serve 
the  town  in  the  Avork  of  the  ministry  here  at  Leicester.’^ 
The  toAvn  then  proceeded  to  vote  him  the  proposed  forty-acre 
lot  behind  the  Meeting-house,’^  seventy-five  pounds’  salary, 
and  a hundred  pounds  gratis,”  and  to  be  at  the  expense  of 
removing  his  family  and  goods  to  Leicester.  Every  thing 
seems  to  have  passed  harmoniously,  and  in  the  most  hopeful 
and  contented  spirit. 

Soon  after  this,  at  Mr.  Parsons’s  request,  the  town  changed 
the  direction  of  the  road  leading  north  from  the  Meeting-house, 
— which  at  first  lay  through  the  middle  of  his  lot,  — so  as  to 
run  along  the  west  end  of  it,  Avhere  it  now  is.  This  lot  he 
continued  to  own  till  just  before  his  death ; and,  by  his  own 
direction,  he  Avas  buried  near  the  middle  of  it.  His  house 
stood  upon  the  south-east  part  of  it. 

But  the  toAvn  Avas  poor,  a considerable  portion  of  the  land 
belonged  to  people  residing  abroad,  and  it  Avas  no  easy  matter 
to  provide  for  its  current  expenses.  They  applied  to  the 
General  Court  to  abate  their  share  of  the  county-tax;  and 
every  thing  in  their  history,  at  that  time,  goes  to  show  that 
they  found  great  difficulty  in  keeping  up  their  town-organiza- 
tion and  meeting  their  engagements.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at,  therefore,  that  they  suffered  their  minister’s  salary,  at 
times,  to  be  in  arrear.*  In  1726,  it  had  been  suffered  to  be 


* To  show  that  Mr.  Parsons  himself  so  understood  the  delays  on  the  part  of  the 
town  in  the  payment  of  his  salary,  I transcribe  a petition  of  his  to  the  Legislature, 
which  is  found  in  the  printed  journal  of  its  proceedings  under  date  of  Dec.  7, 1725:  — 

“ A petition  of  Mr.  David  Parsons  of  Leicester,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  family, 
showing  that,  by  reason  of  the  present  Indian  war,  the  said  town  of  Leicester  is  reduced 
to  low  circumstances,  and  unable  to  make  provision  for  him  for  his  support  in  the 
ministry,  which  they  would  be  able  as  well  as  willing,  otherwise,  to  do;  praying 
that  this  Court  would  please  to  make  him  such  allowance  for  his  support,  out  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


79 


two  years  in  arrear ; and  they  then  proposed  to  give  him  a 
bond  for  his  salary  for  the  year  1724.  Among  the  extraordi- 
nary expenses  which  they  had  been  obliged  to  incur  for  his 
protection  and  their  own,  was  to  erect  a garrison  ” around 
his  and  some  other  houses,  to  guard  against  the  threatened 
attack  of  the  Indians  upon  the  town. 

But  the  salary  did  not  come.  Hard  feelings,  and  doubtless 
hard  words,  ere  long  ensued  between  the  parties  ; and  in 
January,  1727,  the  town  had  a meeting  to  see  if  the  town 
will  raise  Mr.  Parsons’s  salar}^,  or  otherwise  to  see  if  they  will 
be  willing  that  he  should  remove  out  of  this  town.”  It  was 
voted,  that  the  town  be  willing  that  Mr.  Parsons  should 
remove  and  remain  out  of  this  town.”"^  But  Sinbad,  in  the 
story,  might  as  well  have  attempted  to  rid  himself  of  the  Old 
Man  of  the  Sea  by  a vote,  as  the  people  of  Leicester  to  free 
themselves  from  the  burden  they  had  assumed,  by  a hint  like 
this.  Mr.  Parsons  had  no  idea  of  quitting  either  the  town  or 
the  ministry,  or  even  relaxing  his  claim  upon  them  for  the 
means  of  continuing  both. 

He  accordingly  memorialized  the  Legislature  upon  the  sub- 
ject, though  it  is  not  easy  to  see  what  they  could  do  in  the 
matter.  The  town,  onntheir  part,  in  1727,  voted  to  raise  his 
salary ; appointed  a Committee  to  answer  his  memorial ; and 
applied,  themselves,  to  the  General  Court  for  authority  to 
assess  a tax  of  a penny  an  acre  upon  all  the  lands  in  the 


public  treasury,  as  to  their  wise  compassion  shall  seem  meet  for  the  reasons  therein 
mentioned.” 

An  allowance  of  ten  pounds  was  made  out  of  the  public  treasurj’-  to  the  petitioner, 
“ the  better  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  support  his  family, 
in  Leicester.” 

* This  was  in  consequence  of  a new  memorial  of  Mr.  Parsons  to  the  Legislature,  — 
presented  Dec.  2,  1726,  — praying  that  the  money  heretofore  raised  for  the  ministry 
there  might  be  applied  for  the  use  for  which  it  was  granted,  and  that  he  miglit  have 
present  support  granted.  The  town  was  notified  to  show  cause  why  the  money  granted 
had  not  been  paid.  A hearing  was  had  before  a Committee;  who  reported,  in  June, 
1727,  that  there  was  a sum  in  arrear  from  the  town  to  Mr.  Parsons,  but  that  lie  had 
a sufficient  remedy  for  that  by  law;  and  recommended  that  the  petition  should  be 
dismissed. 


80 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


eastern  part  of  the  town,  divided  and  undivided,  towards 
defraying  the  town’s  charges.  They  proposed,  moreover, 
to  Mr.  Parsons,  by  way  of  settlement,  to  pay  one-half  his 
arrearages  (thirty-seven  pounds  ten  shillings)  in  two  months, 
and  the  other  half  in  four.  Of  these  arrears,  forty  pounds 
were  for  the  years  1724  and  1725;  and  they  proposed  to 
prosecute  the  collector  for  his  neglect  in  not  having  collected 
the  tax  of  1726. 

Nothing,  however,  seems  to  have  come  of  Mr.  Parsons’s 
memorial,  or  this  offer  of  compromise  ; and  the  next  step  was 
a complaint  to  the  Quarter  Sessions  by  Mr.  Parsons  against 
the  town  for  neglecting  his  support.  It  was  attended  with  the 
ordinary  fruits  of  most  lawsuits,  — ill  blood  and  retaliatory 
measures.  The  town  met  in  January,  1729,  to  see  if  they 
would  any  longer  continue  to  support  Mr.  Parsons  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  the  town ; and,  if  not,  “ then  to  see  if 
the  town  will  concur  with  the  church  in  deposing  Mr.  Parsons 
from  the  ministry  in  this  place  ; and  to  see  what  steps  and 
method  the  town  will  take  for  the  upholding,  supporting, 
and  the  orderly  and  peaceable  dispensation,  of  the  gospel 
ministry  in  this  place.”  They  thereupon  voted  not  to  support 
him  any  longer,  and  that  they  would  concur  with  the  church 
in  deposing  him ; and  they  voted  to  take  measures  to  supply 
the  pulpit.  But  Mr.  Parsons  does  not  seem  to  have  been  any 
more  moved  by  their  vote  not  to  support  him,  than  he  had 
been  by  so  long  a practical  neglect  to  supply  him  the  means ; 
and  he  seems,  moreover,  to  have  been  one  of  those  spirits 
which  it  is  not  easy  to  lay.  This  vote  to  depose  him  pro- 
duced no  effect. 

They  next  tried  more  peaceable  and  persuasive  measures ; 
and,  in  March  of  that  year,  met  to  see  what  steps  they 
should  take  to  settle  and  make  up  with  Mr.  Parsons.”  But  he 
would  neither  be  deposed,  settled  with,  nor  made  up  with,” 
by  them  ; but,  instead  of  that,  brought  a civil  action  for  the 
recovery  of  his  salary,  and  attached  the  property  of  Lieut. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


81 


Newhall  (whose  name  stood  first  upon  the  letter  above  quoted, 
asking  for  ‘‘  so  great  a blessing  ’’ ) to  respond  the  judgment  he 
should  recover.  This  was  followed  by  a second  complaint 
(in  1730)  against  the  town  to  the  Quarter  Sessions. 

The  town,  at  last,  grew  nearly  desperate.  They  met  in 
February,  1731, ‘Ho  see  if  the  town  will  take  into  their  further 
consideration  the  complaints  of  Mr.  [the  Rev.  is  carefully 
omitted]  David  Parsons,  exhibited  to  the  Quarter  Sessions, 
against  this  town  ; who  and  which  have  caused  a great  deal 
of  disturbances,  and  have  been  greatly  prejudicial  to  the 
peace  of  this  town,  and  very  hurtful  both  to  the  civil  and 
religious  interests  thereof.’’  Nothing  seemed  to  be  left  for 
them  to  do  but  to  appeal  for  relief  to  the  G-eneral  Court, 
“ under  the  difficult  circumstances  which  we  labor  under  at 
this  time.”* 

One  source  of  embarrassment,  however,  grew  out  of  a 
schism  that  was  growing  up  in  the  town  itself.  No  quarrel, 
in  which  considerable  numbers  are  concerned,  can  be  carried 
on,  any  great  length  of  time,  all  on  one  side.  A part  of  the 
inhabitants  took  sides  with  the  minister:  and,  that  it  might 
appear  how  they  stood  .numerically  upon  the  subject,  it  was 
voted  that  a list  should  be  prepared  in  two  columns,  to  be  sub- 


* In  ^larch,  1731,  they  accordingly  petitioned  the  Legislature;  and  Mr.  Parsons 
made  an  answer.  The  Council  voted,  in  June,  to  dismiss  the  petition:  but  the  House 
voted  to  hear  the  parties;  and  a hearing  was  accordingly  had  before  that  body,  and 
the  consideration  of  the  petition  postponed.  At  a subsequent  time,  they  heard  the 
parties  again  upon  the  same  subject,  and  then  referred  the  matter  to  a Committee 
of  which  Mr.  Lynde  (afterwards  Chief-Justice  Lynde)  was  chairman.  On  the  23d  June, 
1731,  the  Committee  reported  a resolve;  upon  which  the  House  adopted  a vote  with  a 
long  preamble,  reciting  that  difficulties  had  arisen  of  long  standing,  and  had  “ proceeded 
to  such  a degree  as  greatly  to  prejudice  the  interest  of  religion,  and  disserve  the  ends 
of  the  gospel  ministry,”  &c.;  and  that  application  had  been  made  in  the  name  of  the 
town,  and  of  a great  number  — if  not  a major  part  — of  the  brethren  of  the  church,  for 
relief.  The  vote  provided  for  permitting  any  who  conscientiously  dissented  from  Mr. 
I’arsons’s  ministry,  respecting  points  either  of  doctrine  or  discipline,  to  signify  the 
same  to  Joseph  Wilder,  Esq.,*  and  be  exempt  from  taxation  on  his  account  when  they 
should  have  provided  an  orthodox  minister,  or  diligently  attended  public  worship  in 
neighboring  towns,  — saving  Mr.  Parsons’s  right  to  two  hundred  acres  of  land;  Ikc. 

* He  was  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  belonged  to  Lancaster. 

11 


82 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


scribed  by  all  the  inhabitants, — indicating  whether  they  were 
for  or  against  “his  continuing  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,” — 
“ to  be  laid  before  his  excellency,  to  inform  him  how  many 
in  this  town  is  for  Mr.  Parsons’s  continuing  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  how  many  against  it ; ” and  Daniel  Denny  and 
Samuel  Green  were  to  be  despatched  to  the  Governor  for  that 
purpose.  The  subscription-paper  was  begun  upon  the  spot : 
and,  as  the  record  shows,  “after  all  persons  that  signed  against 
Mr.  Parsons,  the  moderator  made  proclamation  to  desire  any 
person,  that  had  been  persuaded  to  sign  to  the  subscription 
contrary  to  their  judgment  and  conscience,  if  any  there  were, 
to  come  and  take  their  names  out  again ; but  they  refused, 
for  they  said  they  had  acted  conscientiously  in  the  matter.” 
But  the  fates  were  singularly  against  the  town  in  their 
struggle  to  escape  from  the  persevering  pursuit  of  their  un- 
compromising pastor.  The  General  Court  passed  a resolution 
relieving  them  from  any  longer  supporting  Mr.  Parsons  ; but 
the  Governor  refused  to  approve  it,  and  a Committee  of  the 
town  was  appointed  to  address  him  upon  the  subject.  But  it 
was  nothing  new  for  Gov.  Belcher  to  dilfer  from  the  popular 
branch  of  the  Legislature,  and  Mr.  Parsons  probably  felt 
himself  safe  beneath  the  shelter  of  prerogative. 

These  events  took  place  in  1731 ; and  Mr.  Parsons  had,  in 
the  mean  time,  obtained  a judgment  against  the  town  upon 
his  complaint  before  the  Quarter  Sessions ; but  the  town, 
instead  of  submitting,  held  a meeting  to  consider  whether 
they  should  apply  to  the  General  Court  to  allow  them  to 
appeal  from  this  judgment,  “ that  so  the  town  may  have  the 
privilege  of  a trial  in  the  common  law.”* 

The  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  was  one  having  criminal  ju- 
risdiction, held  by  all  the  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  several 
counties,  — every  second  man  not  being  then  a justice  ; and 
trials  took  place  before  a jury,  with  a right  of  appeal  to  a 


Draper’s  History,  p.  81. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


83 


higher  court.  It  had  also  civil  powers,  — such  as  laying  out 
highways  and  taking  charge  of  the  financial  matters  of  the 
county ; wherein  it  did  not  act  as  a common-law  court.  By 
the  law  as  it  then  existed,  if  a town  neglected  to  support  their 
minister,  he  might  apply,  by  complaint,  to  this  court,  who 
had  authority  to  provide  an  effectual  remedy,  and  impose  a 
fine  upon  the  selectmen  for  this  neglect ; and  there  was  no 
provision  for  any  appeal,  or  trial  by  jury,  in  such  a case."^ 

The  General  Court,  however,  had  been  prorogued  before 
the  petition  of  the  town  reached  them.  But  another  meeting 
was  held  by  the  town,  in  December  of  the  same  year,  to  see 
if  the  town  would  put  in  a memorial  to  the  General  Court  for 
to  revive  a petition  which  the  town  had  put  in,  in  hope  of 
being  relieved  from  2Ir.  Parsonses  bondage  ; or  to  see  if  the 
town  would  proceed  in  any  other  way  to  put  an  end  to 
the  differences  which  we  are  under  in  all  our  affairs.”! 

By  one  of  those  sudden  revolutions  in  public  sentiment  so 
common  under  democracies,  whether  small  or  large,  — where 
the  man  most  berated  to-day  becomes  the  idol  of  to-morrow, 
and  vice  versa ^ without,  quite  as  often  as  with,  cause,  — the 
whole  tone  of  the  votes  of  the  town  was  changed.  They  voted 
not  to  send  a memorial  to  revive  said  petition  ; ” “ that  the 
former  vote  concerning  Mr.  Parsons’s  salary  be  reconsidered;” 
that  the  former  vote  concerning  Mr.  Parsons’s  not  being 
paid  should  be  null  and  void,”  and  “ that  the  vote  passed 
Jan.  21,  1728-9,  that  the  town  would  no  longer  support  Mr. 
Parsons  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  be  null  and  void ; ” that 


* Ancient  Cliarters,  p.  256. 

t This  petition  was  presented  28th  July,  1731.  It  was  in  the  name  of  the  selectmen, 
asking  the  Legislahire  to  explain  the  Act  as  to  supporting  ministers;  and  that  the 
petitioners  might  have  leave  to  appeal  from  a judgment  obtained  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Parsons  against  them,  or  that  they  might  ‘‘  have  a hearing  and  trial  (h  novo  in  a process 
at  common  law,”  or  any  way  by  which  they  could  have  the  benefit  of  a trial  by  jury; 
and  that  the  execution  against  them  might  be  stayed.  The  House  fixed  a time  for 
hearing  the  petition,  and  ordered  the  execution  to  be  stayed.  On  the  18th  of  the 
following  August,  the  petition  was  dismissed.  — Jotirnal  of  House  of  Rtp. 


84 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


‘^the  arrears  of  his  salary  be  paid  with  all  convenient  speed;’’ 
and  that/‘ notwithstanding  the  vote  passed  the  25th  January, 
1728-9,  Mr.  Parsons  is  esteemed  to  be  the  regular  settled 
gospel  minister  in  this  town.”  They  further  voted  to  raise 
money  to  satisfy  the  execution  against  the  selectmen  for 
neglecting  to  pay  Mr.  Parsons’s  salary ; but,  being  unwilling 
to  countenance  those  who  had  opposed  Mr.  Parsons,  they 
excepted  from  this  appropriation  the  fine  laid  upon  said 
selectmen  for  their  neglect.”  The  selectmen  were  accord- 
ingly left  to  pay  out  of  their  own  moneys  the  penalty  for 
carrying  out  the  votes  of  their  constituents. 

It  might  be  more  satisfactory  to  witness  this  retrocession 
of  the  town,  in  their  controversy  with  their  minister,  if  there 
was  not  pretty  strong  evidence  that  his  friends  and  partisans 
took  his  opponents  by  surprise  in  carrying  this  measure. 

The  meeting  was  adjourned ; and,  when  it  was  again  con- 
vened, there  seems  to  have  been  a general  rally  of  the  forces 
on  both  sides.  The  record  says,  that,  upon  the  foregoing 
votes  being  read,  there  appeared  a number  of  men,  and 
desired  to  know  how  those  votes  came  to  be  passed,  and  de- 
sired to  hear  the  warrant  read.  Some  of  them  said  they 
never  had  been  warned  to  such  a meeting.  The  warrant 
being  read  publicly,  Capt.  Green  said  he  had  not  been  warned 
to  the  meeting,  and  that  they  had  voted  that  that  was  not  set 
forth  in  the  warrant ; and  he,  with  several  other  men,  desired 
that  the  moderator  would  see  if  the  town  would  not  recon- 
sider of  those  votes  that  were  acted  contrary  to  warrant,  as 
Capt.  Green  declared  that  he  would  enter  his  dissent  against 
the  meeting  as  illegal.  But  the  moderator  wholly  refused, 
and  said  he  would  not  put  no  such  thing  to  vote,  without 
giving  any  other  reason  than  ^ I will  not.’  Then  the  mode- 
rator, with  other  of  the  inhabitants,  desired  some  particular 
men  to  draw  up  some  proposals  to  lay  before  the  town,  and 
they  would  adjourn  the  meeting  to  hear  these  proposals  and 
consider  on  them.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


85 


An  adjournment  was  accordingly  had ; and  then,  the  town 
being  convened  and  the  proposals  being  read,  Mr.  Moderator 
and  Mr.  Parsons,  with  some  others  of  tlieir  comijany,  made 
some  unhandsome  reflections,  by  reason  that  the  proposals 
did  not  suit  them ; and  so  the  moderator  dissolved  the  meet- 
ing.” 

These  certainly  look  like  rather  high-handed  measures. 
The  moderator  who  thus  played  the  part  of  autocrat  over  this 
little  republic  was  Mr.  Josiah  Converse,  and  the  triumph  of 
their  company’’  was  short-lived.  In  April,  1732,  the  town 
voted  that  they  would  not  raise  any  money  to  pay  Mr.  Par- 
sons’s salary  for  the  year  1731.”  But  within  a few  months 
the  scale  turned,  and  Mr.  Converse  was  again  chosen  mode- 
rator of  a meeting,  called,  among  other  things,  to  see  what 
method  the  toAvn  will  take  to  call  in  the  town’s  money,  so 
that  Mr.  Parsons’s  arrears  may  be  paid.” 

Before  reading  this  article,  the  meeting  was  adjourned ; 
and  the  town-clerk,  who  had  made  so  full  and  circumstantial 
a record  of  the  action  of  the  moderator  at  the  former  meet- 
ing, probably  anticipating  what  would  be  the  action  of  the 
adjourned  meeting,  staid  away  from  it,  and  withheld  his  book 
of  records.  - 

The  people  came  together  at  ten  o’clock ; and,  in  the  words 
of  the  record,  they  tarried  until  about  one  of  the  clock : 
and  the  town-clerk,  who  Avas  Mr.  Joshua  Nichols,  neglecting 
his  duty  in  bringing  or  sending  the  toAvn  book  and  papers 
that  Avas  then  in  his  hands,  there  could  be  nothing  further 
done  in  their  affairs ; and  so  the  moderator  dissolved  this 
meeting.” 

But  Mr.  Nichols  staid  aAA^ay  to  no  purpose.  Mr.  Converse’s 
star  Avas  more  than  ever  in  the  ascendant,  and  his  popularity 
Avas  Avell-nigh  unbounded;  for  at  the  March  meeting,  in  1733, 
he  Avas  chosen  moderator,  first  selectman,  toAvn-clerk  (thereby 
superseding  Mr.  Nichols),  toAvn-treasurer,  first  assessor,  and 
a hog-ree\"e. 


86 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  Aprilj  voted  not  to  allow  any  part  of  the  money 

assessed  upon  the  land  for  the  five  years  past  to  be  disposed 
of  to  any  other  use  than  to  pay  Mr.  Parsons,  until  all  his 
arrears  are  paid.’’ 

In  May,  Mr.  Converse’s  cup  of  honor  was  made  full  by 
his  election  to  the  General  Court.  But  though  there  was  an 
armistice,  so  far  as  Mr.  Parsons  was  concerned,  there  seemed 
to  have  grown  up  a bad  state  of  feeling  in  the  town,  which 
showed  itself  by  the  multiplied  lawsuits  which  were  com- 
menced about  this  time  (1733).  Thomas  Newhall  had  one 
suit  against  the  town,  Thomas  Richardson  and  Steward  South- 
gate  had  three  ; and  the  town  was  indicted  again  for  the  want 
of  a schoolmaster. 

The  quarrel  between  Mr.  Parsons  and  the  town  had  been 
so  long  continued,  and  had  become  so  scandalous  in  the 
public  mind,  that  the  people  of  the  neighboring  towns  were 
inclined  to  interpose  to  put  a stop  to  them  ; and  six  Worces- 
ter gentlemen,  appointed  to  come  into  Leicester  to  see  if  they 
can  reconcile  the  differences  between  Mr.  Parsons  and  the 
town,”  paid  a visit  to  the  town  for  that  purpose.  This  led  to 
the  appointment  of  a Committee  on  the  part  of  Leicester,  who 
waited  upon  Mr.  Parsons,  “ and  had  discourse  with  him  con- 
cerning his  laying  down  the  gospel  ministry  amongst  us.” 

The  proposition  was  favorably  received,  and  mutual  pro- 
posals for  a settlement  were  adopted,  which  were  ratified 
on  the  part  of  the  town,  and  resulted  in  calling  a mutual 
council  to  dissolve  the  connection  between  Mr.  Parsons  and 
his  people.  This  action  took  place  in  January,  1735 ; and 
in  March  the  council  met,  and  came  to  a result  which  was 
accepted  on  the  part  of  the  town : and  Mr.  Parsons  thereupon 
ceased  to  be  their  pastor.  But  he  did  not  cease  to  make 
his  presence  known  and  felt  in  that  community. 

In  May  following,  the  town  were  called  together  “ to  see  if 
they  would  come  into  some  effectual  measures  to  prevent 
Mr.  Parsons  encroaching  upon  the  ministry  lot  or  town  land. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


87 


or  making  strip  or  waste  on  the  timber  that  groweth  there- 
on.” The  next  year,  the  town  raised  thirty  pounds  to  pay 
Mr.  Lynde  the  court- charges  which  he  had  been  put  to 
by  Mr.  Parsons,  about  the  way  that  went  over  Cary’s  Hill ; ” 
though  what  Mr.  Lynde  had  done  which  had  aggrieved  Mr. 
Parsons  does  not  appear. 

Though  we  shall  have  occasion  to  recur  to  Mr.  Parsons 
again,  it  is  a relief  to  bring  to  an  end  the  narrative  of  these 
protracted  details  of  strife  and  bitterness.'^  The  contrast 
which  will  appear  in  their  personal  and  official  character- 
istics, between  him  and  his  successor,  might  serve  as  an 
interesting  study  in  the  science  of  human  nature. 

Where  the  blame  lay,  in  the  origin  of  the  feelings  of  aliena- 
tion which  gave  rise  to  such  disreputable  transactions,  it  is 
unnecessary  now  to  attempt  to  settle ; nor  is  there  any  occa- 
sion to  impute  bad  motives  or  dishonest  intentions  to  either 
party.  It  is  but  an  instance  and  an  illustration  of  what  is 
witnessed  every  day,  in  every  age,  of  passion  and  will  uncon- 
sciously putting  on  the  guise  of  conscience  and  duty;  and 
the  man,  be  he  minister  or  be  he  layman,  really  thinking  he 
is  battling  for  truth  and  right,  when,  in  fact,  intent  only  upon 
a party  success,  or  a pei'sonal  triumph  over  an  enemy. 

The  whole  history  of  Mr.  Parsons’s  connection  with  this 
people,  up  to  his  death  in  1743,  is  a sad  one.  He  carried  to 
the  grave  the  feelings  of  bitterness  which  had  been  engen- 


* By  records  discovered  since  the  above  was  written,  it  would  appear,  that,  soon 
after  liis  dismissal,  Mr.  Parsons  removed  to  Belchertown,  then  called  Cold  Spring,  and 
resided  there  a few  years,  and  where  a son  of  his  settled  permanently.  While  there, 
in  1737,  he  commenced  two  actions  against  the  town;  I suppose,  for  arrears  of  salaiy. 
What  the  result  of  these  was  does  not  appear.  The  town  made  a defence,  and,  as 
appears  by  their  records,  paid  their  agents  ten  shillings  per  day  for  their  time  and 
expenses  in  attending  court,  and  “ forty  shillings  which  they  paid  the  attorneys.” 

1 find  a deed  from  “ David  Parsons,  formerly  of  Leicester,  now  of  Cold  Spring,  clerk,” 
to  James  Lawton,  jun.,  of  Leicester,  saddler,  dated  November,  1739,  of  “ forty  acres  of 
land,  lying  0!i  both  sides  of  the  brook  where  the  said  David  Parsons  built  a mill,  with 
the  said  mill  (being  a gristmill)  and  the  appurtenances.”  'I  his  mill  stood  at  the  outlet 
of  the  Town  Meadow.  Mr.  Parsons,  however,  soon  chose  to  return  to  the  battle- 
ground he  had  so  long  occupied,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  his  death. 


88 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


dered  in  liis  controversy  with  the  town ; and  was  buried,  by 
his  special  direction,  on  his  own  land,  apart  from  the  graves 
of  his  people.  He  was  unwilling  that  his  ashes  should  repose 
by  the  side  of  those  with  whom  he  had  worshipped  in  the 
sanctuary,  and  to  whom  he  had  broken  the  consecrated  bread. 
His  grave,  once  visible  in  a mowing-field,  about  thirty  rods 
north  of  the  present  Meeting-house,  has  been  levelled  by  the 
ploughshare ; and  the  headstone,  with  his  name  inscribed 
upon  it,  no  longer  serves,  as  it  did  for  more  than  a century, 
as  a monument  of  human  frailty."^" 

It  is  pleasant,  therefore,  to  turn  to  the  brief  history  of  his 
successor,  — the  Rev.  David  Goddard. 

There  was,  however,  an  interval  of  more  than  a year  be- 
tween the  dismission  of  Mr.  Parsons  and  the  settlement  of 
Mr.  Goddard.  It  required  some  time,  in  fact,  to  overcome 
the  state  of  things,  in  respect  to  the  religious  interest  of  the 
town,  which  had  been  produced  by  these  protracted  difficul- 
ties and  disputes  with  Mr.  Parsons.  The  Meeting-house, 
never  in  complete  order,  had  been  suffered  to  fall  into  such 
general  dilapidation,  that  it  required  an  expenditure  of  ten 
pounds  merely  to  repair  the  glass  in  its  windows,  before  it 
could  be  considered  fit  for  the  use  of  a new  minister. 


* Since  the  above  was  written,  a question  arose,  which  could  not  be  settled  by 
record,  when  Mr.  Parsons  died.  The  published  genealogy  of  the  family  states  the 
time  as  1737  ; but  a deed  was  found,  bearing  date  1743,  signed  by  him.  I induced 
the  friend  who  has  aided  me  so  much  in  preparing  this  work  to  make  search  for  his 
headstone.  It  was  ascertained  that  it  had  been  used,  in  building  a chimney  in  a house 
erected  several  years  since,  as  a covering-stone  for  the  ash-pit ; and  it  was  concluded 
to  look  into  this,  and  see  if  the  name  might  not  be  legible.  I copy  the  note  I received 
on  the  subject.  “ I sent  a man’s  head  into  the  ash-hole  of  the  house,  &c.,  the  other 
day,  for  his  shoulders  could  not  be  admitted;  and,  as  good  luck  would  have  it,  the  Rev. 
Jkir.  Parsons’s  gravestone  happened  to  be  right-side  downward,  and  the  following 
inscription  could  be  read:  ‘In  memory  of  Rev.  Mr.  David  Parsons,  who,  after  many 
years  of  hard  labor  and  suffering,  was  laid  here,  Oct.  12,  1743,  aged  sixty-three.’ 

“ ‘ Sarah  Parsons  died  June  y®  17,  1759,  aged  seventy-three.’  ” 

It  may  be  no  place  to  moralize  on  a subject  like  this;  but  it  is  certainly  enough  to 
cause  one  to  pause  and  ask,  “ What  is  fame?  ” when  the  only  record  of  the  decease  of  a 
man  who  filled  so  important  a sphere,  and  was  the  founder  of  so  widely  spread  and 
honorably  distinguished  a family,  is  found  in  sueh  a place,  and  devoted  to  such  a 
service. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


89 


In  this  interval,  preaching  was  supported  by  contributions 
taken  up  from  sabbath  to  sabbath  ; and  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
a part  of  the  time  by  a Mr.  Rice.  The  church  and  society, 
during  that  time,  set  apart  a day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for 
direction  from  on  high,  in  regard  to  a successor  to  Mr.  Par- 
sons ; and  on  the  30th  January,  1736,  they  gave  Mr.  Goddard 
a call  to  settle.  They  offered  him  three  hundred  pounds  as  a 
settlement,  and  a hundred  pounds  per  year  as  a salary  so 
long  as  he  should  remain  their  .minister.  The  form  of  the 
vote  indicated  an  intention  to  avoid  the  life  obligation,  which 
they  would  have  been  understood  as  assuming  towards  him 
if  the  offer  had  been  unlimited  or  unqualified  in  its  terms. 
They  had  learned  from  their  recent  experience  to  be  chary 
in  forming  life  alliances  even  in  so  sacred  a relation. 

He  accepted  the  invitation  in  a brief  and  pertinent  answer, 
wherein,  among  other  things,  he  expressed  a wish  that  the 
church  might  be  governed  by  the  rules  adopted  by  the  New- 
England  churches  in  the  Cambridge  Platform  of  1648.  He 
was  ordained  June  30,  1736;  and  remained  their  pastor  until 
his  death,  Jan.  19,  1754.  He  lived  in  a house  belonging  to 
him,  upon  the  east  side  of  the  Charlton  Road,  near,  and  as  is 
supposed  in  front  of,  tire  house  where  Mrs.  Hobart  lives,  but 
which  disappeared  before  the  memory  of  any  one  now  alive.* 
His  salary  was  often  in  arrear ; but  a spirit  of  Christian 
forbearance  on  his  part  led  to  a corresponding  concession 
upon  the  part  of  the  town,  who  repeatedly  added  fifty  pounds 
to  his  salary,  in  the  way  of  an  appreciation  of  his  claims 
upon  their  consideration,  for  these  delays  and  the  great 
depreciation  of  the  currency.  Ilis  connection  with  his  people 
was  uniformly  kindly  and  happy  on  both  sides ; and  his  sud- 
den and  early  death,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven,  was  deeply 
lamented  as  the  loss  of  a faithful  minister  and  good  man. 

* Tie  bought  this  of  John  Curtice  of  Leicester,  in  March,  1736.  The  parcel  con- 
tained fifty  acres,  a small  house  and  barn  thereon,  bounded  south  by  lands  formerly  of 
James  Jackson  and  Benjamin  Johnson. 


2 


90 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Mr.  Goddard  was  born  in  Framingham^  Sept.  26,  1706. 
He  was  the  son  of  Hon.  Edward  Goddard,  who,  at  one  time, 
was  a member  of  the  Council.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard 
in  1731,  and  married  Mrs.  Marj  Stone  of  Watertown  for  his 
first  wife,  in  1736  ; and,  for  his  second,  Mrs.  Martha  Xichols 
of  Framingham,  in  1753,  less  than  one  month  before  his  death. 
His  death  occurred  while  he  was  upon  a visit  at  Framingham, 
during  what  was  known  there  as  the  “ great  sickness. It 
prevailed  with  great  mortality  in  that  and  the  neighboring 
towns  of  Holliston  and  Sherborn,  and  carried  off  the  father 
and  mother  of  Mr.  Goddard  within  a month  after  his  death. 
His  widow  married  again,  and  removed  to  Framingham;  and 
I am  not  aware  that  he  left  any  family  in  Leicester. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Goddard,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by 
occasional  preachers,  who  seem  to  have  visited  the  town  on 
horseback.  I find  £17.  10s.  appropriated  to  pay  for  the  enter- 
tainment of  these  ministers,  and  £18  for  that  of  their  horses. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Roberts  was  invited  in  July,  after  Mr. 
Goddard’s  death,  to  settle  over  the  church  and  society ; and 
in  his  answer  accepting  the  call,  which  is  too  long  to  copy 
here,  that  sordid  love  of  money,  which  became  his  ruling 
passion,  is  strangely  mixed  up  with  professions  of  a devoted- 
ness to  God  and  his  service. 

The  town  voted  him  a settlement  of  £133.  6s.  3d.  silver 
money,  and  £66.  13s.  8d.  per  annum  salary,  in  silver  money 
at  6s.  8d.  per  ounce.  Though  nominally  a less  sum  than 
that  paid  to  his  predecessor,  it  must  have  been  considerably 
more  in  value,  by  reason  of  the  difference  between  silver  and 
Province  bills,  which  constituted  almost  the  entire  currency 
of  the  Province  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Goddard’s  settlement. 
At  that  time,  silver  was  worth  27s.  6d.  per  ounce;  though  it 
rose  at  one  time  before  his  death  to  60s.  per  ounce. 

Provision  was  made  by  the  town  for  the  entertainment,  at 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Roberts,  of  ministers,  messengers,  and 
scholars.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


91 


Ordinations  were  made,  in  fact,  at  that  time  and  for  more 
than  half  a century  afterwards,  occasions  for  a general  fes- 
tivity and  unbounded  hospitality  on  the  part  of  the  people 
of  the  town  where  it  was  to  occur.  Ministers  were  settled 
for  life ; and  it  was  a great  marriage-feast,  to  which  every 
door,  however  humble,  was  opened.  It  became  a holiday  for 
all  the  surrounding  country;  and  no  man,  though  he  were 
a stranger,  was  suffered  to  depart  from  the  town,  without 
having  shared  at  the  hospitable  board  of  some  of  its  people. 

For  some  reason,  the  ordination  was  postponed  until  Oct.  23, 
1754. 

Though  a bachelor,  he  purchased,  and  at  first  lived  upon, 
a large  tract  of  land  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town, 
where  Mr.  Robert  Watson  resided:  but,  in  1760,  he  pur- 
chased the  estate  where  Rev.  Mr.  May  lives ; which  was 
afterwards  owned  and  occupied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin,  his 
successor. 

He  was  settled  under  favorable  auspices  ; was  a man  of 
good  natural  powers  of  mind,  and  of  respectable  attainments 
in  scholarship.  But  there  were  inherent  defects  in  his  moral 
and  mental  organization,  which  soon  brought  him  into  differ- 
ences with  his  people.  ^He  was  grasping  and  avaricious,  and 
manifested  far  more  eagerness  to  gain  and  save  money  than  to 
win  the  favor  of  those  over  whom  he  was  settled.  The  con- 
sequence was,  that,  as  early  as  1762,  a council  was  called  to 
settle  the  difficulties  which  had  grown  up  in  the  society. 
The  only  part  taken  in  the  measure,  by  the  town,  was  to  make 
provision  for  the  entertainment  of  the  council ; while  the 
church  prepared,  and  laid  before  the  council,  a statement 
of  their  grievances.  In  view  of  these,  a dissolution  of  the 
connection  between  them  and  their  pastor  was  recommended  ; 
and  he  was  accordingly  dismissed  Dec.  14,  1762,  though  very 
much  against  his  will.  He  very  soon  after  sold  his  estate  in 
Leicester,  and  removed  to  Weston  ; where  he  lived  to  the  age 
of  ninety-one,  and  died  April  30,  1811. 


92 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Mr.  Roberts  was  born  in  very  bumble  life,  in  Boston,  in 
1720.  He  was  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1741.  In  a class  of 
twenty-five,  he  ranked,  in  dignity  of  family,  the  twenty-second 
of  the  number.  The  struggles  to  which  he  was  probably 
subjected  while  obtaining  his  education  might  perhaps  have 
developed  that  sordid  love  of  hoarding  which  characterized 
him  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life. 

After  his  removal  to  Weston,  he  preached  occasionally,  but 
was  never  settled.  The  difficulties  with  the  mother-country 
coming  on,  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  political  agitations  of 
the  day ; and  was,  at  one  time,  a member  of  the  Committee 
of  the  town  for  the  purpose  of  enlisting  and  providing  soldiers 
for  the  army.  He  was  a member,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
the  deliberations,  of  the  convention  which  framed  our  State 
Constitution  in  1779.  He  was  frequently,  afterwards,  a repre- 
sentative from  Weston  in  the  General  Court. 

He  engaged  in  business  with  a cunning  and  unscrupulous 
speculator;  whereby  he  became  involved  in  several  expensive 
and  harassing  lawsuits,  and  lost  a considerable  part  of  his 
estate.  This  soured  his  temper  and  imbittered  his  life : he 
became  a miser  and  a misanthrope.  He  suffered  himself  to  be 
imprisoned  for  a debt  growing  out  of  his  connection  with  the 
speculator  above  mentioned,  and  remained  in  prison  two  or 
three  years,  until  his  creditor  was  glad  to  compromise  the 
debt.  He  had,  at  the  same  time,  bags  of  money  lying  in  his 
house;  which  were  found  after  his  death,  and  had  been  so  long 
hoarded  there,  that  they  Avere  too  much  decayed  to  hold  their 
contents  upon  being  raised  from  the  place  of  their  deposit. 
He  died,  as  he  had  lived,  like  a beggar.  He  had  for  years 
denied  himself  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  not  an  article 
of  his  Avardrobe  was  fit  for  the  tenant  of  an  alms-house. 
Such  was  the  sequel  of  the  life  of  a man  who  was  possessed 
of  more  than  ordinary  natural  powers,  educated  to  a liberal 
profession,  once  the  pastor  of  a respectable  religious  society, 
and  Avho,  A\dth  nobody  but  himself  to  care  for,  sacrificed  his 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


93 


reputation,  his  influence,  and  his  comfort,  to  a sordid  love 
of  useless  and  unused  gold. 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Roberts  was  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Conklin.  He  was  invited  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  church 
and  society,  in  August,  1763;  and  was  ordained  Xov.  23 
of  that  year.  At  his  ordination,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Forbes  of 
Brookfield  made  the  introductory  prayer.  Rev.  Mr.  Maccarty 
of  IVorcester  preached  the  sermon.  Rev.  !Mr.  Buckminster  of 
Rutland  gave  the  charge,  and  the  Rev.  Mr,  Davis  of  Holden 
gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  His  salary  was  fixed  at 
the  same  sum  as  Mr.  Roberts’s  had  been ; and  provision  was 
made  for  the  entertainment  of  ministers,  scholars,  and  gentle- 
men at  the  ordination. 

A connection  thus  formed  continued  with  mutual  satis- 
faction for  thirty  years  ; and  was  another  illustration  of  a 
familiar  observation,  that  a man  may  be  useful  and  influential 
without  being  great.  He  was  never  distinguished  for  brilliancy 
or  originality  as  a preacher,  but  always  maintained  a respec- 
table rank  in  his  profession,  and  exercised  a marked  and  salu- 
tary influence  among  his  people. 

Mr.  Conklin  was  a native  of  Southhold,  L.I. ; and  was  born 
in  1732.  He  was  graduated  at  Princeton,- A. J.,  in  1755.  His 
manners  were  easy  and  familiar,  and  his  conversation  was 
enlivened  with  humor  and  pleasant  anecdote.  In  one  respect, 
he  was  fortunate : his  sympathies  were  all  in  favor  of  the 
movements’which  resulted  in  the  Revolution,  and  the  ardor 
of  his  temperament  harmonized  with  the  popular  enthusiasm 
that  prevailed  in  the  community  in  which  he  moved.  A dis- 
satisfaction had  grown  up  in  one  of  the  neighboring  towns, 
with  their  minister,  on  account  of  his  want  of  fervor  and 
animation ; and  some  one  gravely  advised  that  he  should 
exchange  with  Mr.  Conklin,  that  the  people  might  be  supplied 
with  all  they  wanted  of  either.* 


• The  following  illustrative  anecdote  of  Mr.  Conklin  has  been  recently  told  me. 
He  was  of  that  class  of  ministers  who  are  called  liberal  in  their  views,  because  the}' 


94 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


It  was  a time  when  all  ranks  and  professions  were  engrossed 
by  the  calls  of  patriotism  ; and  none  lent  a more  willing  ear 
to  these  than  Mr.  Conklin.  At  one  time,  he  was  a member 
of  a patriotic  convention ; at  another,  one  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  of  the  town ; and,  at  all  times,  he  was  an 
active  and  zealous  advocate  of  the  popular  cause.  This  might 
have  arisen  partly  from  the  character  of  the  parishioners  by 
whom  he  was  surrounded.  Among  them  was  an  unusually 
large  number  of  prominent  and  leading  men  upon  the  same 
side  in  politics.  The  names  of  Henshaw,  Denny,  Allen, 
AVashburn,  Brown,  and  Newhall,  will  at  once  occur  to  any 
one  at  all  familiar  with  the  history  of  the  town.  On  the  other 
hand,  with  the  exception  of  Judge  Steel,  I doubt  if  there  was 
a loyalist  to  be  found  in  the  town. 

AVhen  the  State  Government  had  been  established,  Mr. 
Conklin  was  found  an  equally  decided  advocate  for  its  sup- 
port. This  rendered  him  so  much  an  object  of  jealousy  and 
disfavor  on  the  part  of  the  insurgents,  at  the  time  of  “ Shay’s 
Kebellion,”  that  he  was  repeatedly  obliged  to  fly  from  his  own 
house,  and  conceal  himself,  in  order  to  escape  the  violence 
with  which  he  was  threatened. 

He  married  Mrs.  Lucretia  Lawton,  the  widow  of  Dr.  Pliny 
Lawton  of  Leicester,  in  1769;  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
— two  sons  and  one  daughter. 

In  his  person  he  was  large,  and  rather  inclined  to  corpu- 
lency. For  many  years  before  his  death,  he  was  afliicted  with 
a painful  and  incurable  disease  ; which  induced  him  to  ac- 
cept a proposition  from  his  people  to  pay  him  a gratuity 
of  a hundred  and  seventy  pounds,  exempt  his  property  from 
taxation,  and  have  his  connection  as  their  pastor  dissolved. 


are  willing  to  think  they  should  not  harm  the  people  of  another  society  by  preaching 
in  their  pulpit.  One  who  differed  from  him  in  this  sentiment  remonstrated  with  him 

upon  his  error,  and  closed  by  saying,  “ Mr.  Conklin,  would  you  preach  in  Mi*. ’s 

pulpit?”  — “ Yes,”  was  the  ready  reply:  “I  would  preach  on  Mars’  Hill,  if  I could  get 
a chance.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


95 


The  arrangement  was  carried  out  by  a council,  consisting 
of  Drs.  Sumner  of  Shrewsbury,  and  Austin  and  Bancroft  of 
Worcester;  who  bore  testimony  to  his  high  character  as  a 
clergyman  and  a citizen.  This  took  place  in  June,  1794.  The 
separation  was  with  kindly  feelings  on  both  sides ; and  the 
town,  in  a vote  expressive  of  their  sentiments  towards  him, 
tendered  him  their  thanks  for  his  useful  and  arduous  services, 
and  their  sympathies  for  his  declining  health  and  increasing 
infirmities. 

He  lost  his  wife,  who  died  of  dropsy,  in  March,  1793; 
and  his  own  death  took  place  Jan.  30,  1798,  in  the  sixty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age.  A part  of  the  epitaph  inscribed 
upon  his  headstone  had  been  selected  by  himself,  and  is  as 
follows : — • 

“ Hie  jacet  Benjamin  Conklin  M.,  in  expectatione  diei  supremi. 
Qualis  erat,  dies  iste  indicabit.” 

Mr.  Conklin  lived  in  a house  which  stood  where  the  Rev. 
Mr.  May  now  lives.  His  land  extended  westward  as  far  as 
the  Common,  and  the  lane  leading  to  the  house  formerly 
occupied  by  Mr.  Parsons.  The  house  was,  I presume,  as  old 
as  any  in  town,  if  not  the  oldest ; and  was  probably  erected 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Stebbings,  to  whom  lot  No.  1 — on  which  it 
stood  — was  allotted  in  the  first  division  of  the  town.  It  was 
afterwards  owned  by  Mr.  Larkin,  from  whom  it  passed  to  Mr. 
Roberts,  and  from  him  to  Mr.  Conklin.  Ebenezer  Adams, 
Esq.,  next  owned  the  house  : he  moved  into  it  in  1800,  and 
thoroughly  repaired  it.  Mr.  Luther  Wilson,  purchased  the 
place  of  Mr.  Adams.  Mr.  Alpheus  Smith  owned  it,  and  lived 
there  many  years  after  Mr.  Wilson’s  removal,  and  enlarged 
and  repaired  it ; and,  at  last,  the  house  was  removed  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  May  to  make  room  for  his  present  much  more 
elegant  mansion. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Conklin,  Mr.  James  Tufts  was 
employed  to  preach  for  the  society,  and  was  invited  to  settle 


96 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


as  their  minister.  But,  there  being  some  opposed  to  his 
settlement,  he  declined  the  call,  and  was  afterwards,  in  1795, 
settled  over  a society  in  Wardsborough,  Yt. ; where  he  long 
sustained  the  character  of  a useful  and  faithful  minister,  until 
his  death  a few  years  since. 

After  this,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Appleton,  afterwards  President  of 
Bowdoin  College,  preached  here,  and  received  a unanimous 
invitation  to  become  the  pastor  of  the  society ; and  it  was  a 
matter  of  great  regret  on  the  part  of  the  people  that  he 
declined  their  invitation. 

After  Dr.  Appleton,  the  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift  Moore  was 
employed  to  supply  the  pulpit ; and,  by  a unanimous  vote 
of  the  society,  was  invited  to  settle  as  their  minister,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1797,  upon  a salary  of  four  hundred  dollars  a year.  He 
accepted  the  call,  and  was  ordained  Jan.  10,  1798.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Pope  of  Spencer  made  the  introductory  prayer ; Rev.  Dr. 
Backus  of  Somers,  with  whom  he  had  studied  divinity, 
preached  the  sermon  ; Rev.  Dr.  Sumner  of  Shrewsbury 
made  the  consecrating  prayer ; Rev.  Dr.  Fiske  of  Brookfield 
gave  the  charge;  Dr.  Austin  of  Worcester,  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship ; and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mills  of  Sutton,  the  concluding 
prayer. 

He  married  Miss  Phebe  Drury, — daughter  of  Thomas  Dru- 
ry, Esq.,  of  Ward,  now  Auburn, — Feb.  27, 1799;  and  lived  in 
the  house,  now  of  Mr.  Edward  Knowles,  at  the  corner  of 
Charlton  and  Great  Post  Road,  which  had  been  erected  a 
few  years  before  by  Joseph  Washburn. 

He  remained  the  minister  of  the  town  until  Oct.  28,  1811 ; 
when,  having  been  appointed  Professor  of  Languages  in 
Dartmouth  College,  he  asked  and  obtained  a dismission  from 
his  people,  to  their  universal  regret.  In  his  position  as 
minister  of  this  people,  he  exerted  an  influence  and  com- 
manded a respect,  which  every  one  was  ready  to  acknow- 
ledge, and  which  has  rarely  been  surpassed.  He  left  town 
on  the  1st  November,  1811,  attended  by  a large  number  of 


i 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


97 


his  parishioners  and  friends  in  carriages,  who  escorted  him 
several  miles  from  the  town ; while  the  children  of  the 
schools,  ranged  by  the  side  of  the  road  along  which  he  was 
to  pass,  paid  their  simple  testimony  of  respect,  and  of  sorrow 
at  his  departure,  by  standing  with  saddened  countenances 
and  uncovered  heads  as  the  procession  passed  slowly  by 
them. 

Dr.  Moore  filled  too  many  important  stations,  besides  that 
of  pastor  of  this  church,  to  be  passed  over  with  a mere  men- 
tion of  his  connection  with  the  town. 

He  was  born  in  Palmer,  Xov.  20,  1770.  His  mother  was  a 
Swift,  from  Sandwich,  from  whom  he  took  his  name  ; she 
having  been  the  daughter  of  Zephaniah  Swift.  His  father 
was  a farmer ; and,  being  in  somewhat  straitened  circum- 
stances, removed  to  Wilmington,  Yt.,  then  a new  settlement, 
when  this  son  was  about  seven  or  eight  years  old.  Here  the 
son  was  employed  upon  the  farm  until  he  was  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  with  only  limited  means  of  cultivating  his 
mind.  At  that  time,  he  began  to  attend  the  Academy  at 
Bennington ; and,  the  next  year,  offered  himself  for  admission 
to  Dartmouth  College.  He  took  at  once  a prominent  rank  in 
his  class,  and  maintaine(Tit  by  strong  natural  powers  of  mind, 
improved  by  close  and  constant  devotion  to  study.  He  was 
graduated  in  1793,  with  a high  reputation  for  sound  learning 
and  scholarship. 

After  leaving  college,  he  taught  an  academy  in  London- 
derry, X.H.,  for  one  year.  He  then  commenced  the  study 
of  theology  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Backus  of  Somers,  Conn. ; 
for,  it  will  be  recollected,  this  was  before  the  days  of  theo- 
logical seminaries  in  our  country.  He  was  licensed  to  preach, 
Feb.  3,  1796. 

Passing  over  his  connection  with  the  people  of  Leicester, — 
except  to  say,  that  one  year,  while  minister  there,  he  filled 
the  place  of  Preceptor  of  the  Academy  with  great  accept- 
ance, — he  remained  connected  with  Dartmouth  College  until 

13 


98 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  autumn  of  1815  ; when  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency 
of  Williams  College,  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Fitch.  He  remained  at  the  head  of  that  college  until  1821 ; 
when  he  accepted  the  place  of  President  of  Amherst  Colle- 
giate Institution,  which,  after  his  death,  was  incorporated  as  a 
college.  In  1816,  he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  his  Alma  Mater.  In  1818,  he  preached  the  Election  Ser- 
mon before  the  government  of  the  State  ; and  was,  for  several 
years  before  his  death,  a member  of  the  Board  of  Commission- 
ers for  Foreign  Missions. 

He  died  June  30,  1823,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two,  in  the  midst 
of  his  vigor,  usefulness,  and  honors.  His  wife  survived  until 
1857. 

Dr.  Moore  left  but  few  publications,  and  these  were  princi- 
pally occasional  sermons.  Like  most  of  the  public  men  in 
New  England,  he  built  up  his  success  by  his  own  exertions. 
He  sometimes  amused  his  friends  by  tracing  what  he  plea- 
santly called  the  causes  of  his  success. 

His  sister  had  married  the  Bev.  Mr.  ]\Iills  of  Sutton.  Soon 
after  being  licensed,  he  made  a journey  to  Sutton  to  visit  her. 
This  was  extended  several  days  beyond  its  intended  limit,  by 
reason  of  his  horse  becoming  lame  and  unable  to  travel.  It 
was  during  this  delay  that  Miss  Drury,  who  was  a friend  of  the 
family  of  Mrs.  Mills,  came  there  upon  a visit.  This  accidental 
interview  led  to  a visit  on  his  part  to  the  young  lady,  at  her 
father’s  : and,  while  there,  the  people  of  Leicester  invited 
him  to  preach  for  them ; and,  being  pleased  with,  settled  him. 
Here  he  formed  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  Mr.  (after- 
wards Professor)  Adams,  which  grew  into  a strong  and  ardent 
friendship.  Mr.  Adams,  after  residing  a while  at  Exeter  and 
Portland,  became  a professor  in  Dartmouth  College  in  1809 ; 
and  when,  by  the  death  of  Professor  Hubbard,  and  Mr. 
Adams’s  appointment  to  succeed  him,  there  was  a vacancy  in 
the  office  which  he  had  been  filling  for  the  year  then  past,  he 
recommended  and  induced  the  trustees  to  elect  Mr.  Moore  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


99 


the  professorship.  And  thus,  in  the  order  of  sequences  as 
traced  by  himself,  he  owed  his  election  to  the  presidency  of  a 
college  to  the  opportune  sickness  of  the  animal  he  rode. 

In  whatever  situation  Dr.  Moore  was  placed,  he  showed 
that  he  had  a fitness  and  capacity  for  filling  it  with  honor  and 
usefulness.  Though  he  was  a profound  thinker,  and  his  turn 
of  mind  was  decidedly  metaphysical,  his  style  was  remarkabl}^ 
simple  and  clear,  and  his  sermons  were  adapted  to  the  taste 
and  comprehension  of  his  hearers.  His  manner  was  dignified, 
calm,  and  self-possessed.  The  tones  of  his  voice  were  clear 
and  pleasant,  but  not  loud  ; nor  did  he  in  the  pulpit  ever 
attempt  to  play  the  orator,  although  he  invariably  commanded 
the  attention  of  his  hearers.  There  was  a great  sweetness 
of  manner  in  his  intercourse  with  others,  especially  towards 
the  young;  but  underlying  this  was  a firmness  of  purpose, 
an  indomitable  resolution  of  spirit,  which  no  discouragement 
could  daunt  or  defeat.  He  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  office  of 
a teacher  and  manager  of  a literary  institution : the  accuracy 
of  his  knowledge,  the  clearness  of  his  apprehension,  the  plain 
and  simple  manner  of_  communicating  his  ideas  to  others, 
his  great  tact  in  understanding  character,  with  his  uniform 
urbanity  of  manner,  were  qualities  which  he  possessed,  as  a 
college-officer,  to  a degree  rarely  excelled.  However  others 
might  have  differed  from  him  in  respect  to  measures,  no  man 
could  deny  his  eminent  claims  for  consistent  piety,  great 
executive  talent,  and  profound  sagacity ; nor  hesitate  to  ac- 
cord to  him  the  qualities  of  a gentleman,  a companion,  and  a 
friend,  as  well  as  a faithful  servant  of  the  Master  he  professed 
to  serve.  He  left  no  children ; and  the  results  of  a life  of 
prudence  and  industry  were  devoted  to  the  college  to  whose 
early  success  he  gave  the  best  energies  of  his  life. 

It  is  now  near  half  a centur}^  since  Dr.  Moore’s  connection 
with  Leicester  ceased  ; but  the  silent,  indirect  influence  of 
such  a man’s  teachings  and  example  might  have  been  traced, 
in  the  moral  and  intellectual  tone  of  that  community,  for  many 


100 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


years  after  his  voice  had  ceased  to  be  heard  in  their  pulpit, 
their  schools,  and  their  social  circles.  His  memory  is  still 
one  of  the  historical  treasures  of  which  the  town  has  so 
goodly  a store  in  the  recollections  of  the  past. 

The  Rev.  John  Xelson  was  invited  to  preach  as  a candidate, 
by  the  society,  the  week  following  Dr.  Moore’s  departure  from 
town.  An  invitation  to  settle  there  was  soon  tendered  to  him; 
and  on  the  4th  March,  1812,  he  was  ordained,  upon  a salary 
of  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum.  The  ordination- 
services  were  performed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft  ; Dr. 
Austin,  who  preached  the  sermon ; Mr.  Avery  of  Holden ; 
Mr.  Pope  of  Spencer ; Mr.  Whipple  of  Charlton  ; and  Mr. 
Mills  of  Sutton,  who,  it  will  be  recollected,  had  taken  part 
with  Dr.  Austin  and  Mr.  Pope  in  the  ordination  of  his  prede- 
cessor. 

Happily,  the  time  has  not  yet  come,  — and  long  may  it  be 
delayed  ! — when  it  is  proper  to  speak  of  Mr.  Nelson  with  the 
fulness  of  detail  in  which  the  living  may  indulge  when  recall- 
ing the  virtues  and  excellences  of  one  upon  whose  character 
Death  has  set  his  seal. 

He  was  born  in  Hopkinton.  He  removed  at  an  early  age, 
with  his  father,  to  Worcester.  He  was  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  1807,  and  was  afterwards  a tutor  in  that  college 
for  the  year  1809-10.  He  studied  theology  with  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Austin  of  Worcester.  He  married  Zebiah,  daughter  of  Abi- 
jah  Bigelow,  Esq.,  of  Barre,  May  4, 1812.  From  1826  to  1833, 
he  was  a trustee  of  Williams  College ; and,  in  1843,  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  that  college. 

The  amount  of  salary  paid  to  Dr.  Nelson  was  increased  from 
time  to  time,  in  order  to  meet  in  some  measure  the  rapidly 
increasing  expenses  of  living;  which,  within  the  period  since 
he  was  settled,  have  more  than  doubled,  by  a comparison  of 
prices  paid,  and  the  style  demanded  by  the  customs  of  social 
life. 

In  consequence  of  impaired  health,  the  society  of  Dr.  Nelson 


JBIH*? 


I: ''^’  :'■  -r  ft  ^ ■' ' j'i-^'<’  jV«^ 

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**rv  -t\v 


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t.-  . ■ .;’  -Y---* 

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i ._j-‘ ; . - /■  , V / -’J|;^,.,-.v^</- 


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-*1,’ 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


101 


thought  proper  to  call,  as  a colleague  to  his  aid,  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Clark  Denison,  who  accepted  the  invitation ; and  on 
the  4th  March,  1851, — on  the  thirty-ninth  anniversary  of  Dr. 
Nelson’s  ordination,  — he  was  ordained  as  such.  He  was  to 
receive  six  hundred  dollars  as  salary,  while  Dr.  Nelson  was 
to  be  paid  the  sum  of  four  hundred  dollars ; each  of  which 
was  afterwards  increased  by  an  additional  hundred  dollars  a 
year. 

Though  the  vigor  of  his  early  manhood  and  middle  life  had 
been  spent,  and  enfeebled  health  had  diminished  his  capacity 
for  labor,  the  society  would  have  done  great  injustice  to  them- 
selves, as  Avell  as  to  him,  if  they  could  have  suffered  him  to 
be  left  unprovided  for  in  his  age.  The  instances,  however, 
are  not  rare,  where  the  claims  of  an  old  and  faithful  servant 
have  been  forgotten  by  the  generation  that  have  taken  the 
place  of  those  upon  whose  invitation  he  united  his  fortunes 
with  a parish  whose  interests  he  had  labored  to  advance. 
The  harmony  that  has  prevailed,  hitherto,  in  the  society,  is 
the  best  guaranty  that  a life  of  usefulness  and  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  his  Master  will  be  cheered  to  its  close  by  the 
reciprocal  regard  of  an  appreciative  people.  Whoever  shall 
complete  this  work  will  speak  of  one,  who,  for  almost  fifty 
years,  has  ministered  to  this  people  as  the  faithful  pastor, 
the  useful  citizen,  and  the  Christian  gentleman. 

Mr.  Denison  was  born  in  Hampton,  Conn. ; was  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1847 ; and  studied  theology  at  the  semi- 
naries in  East  Winsor,  Conn.,  and  New  York.  He  remained 
the  colleague -pastor  with  Dr.  Nelson  until  March,  1856 ; 
when,  at  his  own  request,  he  was  dismissed.  His  connec- 
tion with  the  society  was  mutually  pleasant  and  agreeable ; 
and  the  dissolution  of  their  connection  was  upon  satisfactory 
terms,  and  with  harmonious  feelings. 

Mr.  Denison  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Amos  H.  Cooledge, 
who  was  ordained  as  colleague  with  Dr.  Nelson,  April  21, 
1857.  He  was  born  in  Sherburn,  Mass.,  Aug.  17,  1827  ; 


102 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


graduated  at  Amherst  College,  1853 ; and  at  Andover  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  1856.  He  is  still  the  associate-pastor  of 
the  society. 

As  the  law  stood  for  a hundred  years  or  more  after  the 
incorporation  of  the  town,  its  parochial  affairs  were  managed 
by  the  town,  under  its  municipal  organization,  although 
there  was  a society  of  Friends,  and  also  of  Baptists,  which 
had  early  withdrawn  from  the  original  religious  society  of 
the  town.  The  town  held  its  meetings  in  the  Meeting-house. 
The  society’s  meetings  were  called  by  officers  of  the  town, 
and  the  record  of  its  proceedings  was  preserved  as  part  of 
those  of  the  town. 

In  1826,  however,  the  town  took  measures  to  provide 
themselves  with  a public  hall.  It  was  dedicated  on  the 
1st  January,  1827 ; on  wdiich  occasion  a public  address  was 
delivered  by  Emory  Washburn.  It  was  built  in  connection 
with  the  Leicester  Bank ; occupying  the  upper  story  of  a 
building  which  stood,  substantially,  where  the  present  Town 
Hall  stands. 

This,  having  become  inadequate  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  town,  was  removed  to  its  present  position,  a little  south 
of  the  public-house;  and,  in  1854,  the  present  commodious 
and  expensive  structure  was  erected  in  its  place. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  members  of  Dr.  Nelson’s  society,  as 
the  First  Parish,  applied  to  Emory  Washburn,  Esq.,  as  a justice 
of  the  peace,  to  call  a meeting  of  the  same,  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  them  as  a parish ; and  upon  the  9th  of  February, 
1833,  a meeting  was  held,  by  virtue  of  a warrant  issued  upon 
this  application,  and  a body  corporate  was,  accordingly,  organ- 
ized as  the  First  Parish  in  Leicester,  who  have  since  had 
their  own  records  and  managed  their  own  affairs. 

A history  of  the  first  meeting-house  in  town  was  attempted 
in  the  first  part  of  the  present  chapter;  and  it  seems  proper, 
in  this  connection,  to  give  some  account  of  the  edifice  that 
succeeded  it. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


103 


It  is  hardly  necessary  to  repeat  to  what  extent  the  first 
house  had  become  unsuited  to  the  convenience,  comfort,  and 
taste  of  the  people.  The  burdens  assumed  by  and  imposed 
upon  the  town  during  the  war  precluded  the  idea  of  volun- 
tarily incurring  that  of  erecting  a new  meeting-house ; but, 
immediately  on  the  return  of  peace,  the  attention  of  the 
inhabitants  was  turned  to  supplying  so  urgent  a want. 

The  building  was  raised  in  the  first  week  of  July,  1784; 
and  was  placed  a little  in  the  rear  of  the  former  one.  In 
size  it  was  substantially  the  same  as  it  now  is,  except  that  it 
had  no  belfry  or  steeple.  These  were  added  four  or  five 
years  afterwards.  The  main  entrance  was  upon  the  south ; 
the  doors  opening  directly  into  the  body  of  the  church. 
There  were  also  doors  at  the  east  and  west  end  of  the 
building.  A broad  aisle  ran  from  the  front-door  to  the  pul- 
pit; and  a narrow  one  diverged  from  this  to  the  right  and 
left,  and,  running  around  the  interior  of  the  house,  came  into 
the  broad  aisle  again  in  front  of  the  pulpit;  leaving  a row  of 
square  pews  next  to  the  wall,  extending  from  the  front-door 
around  to  the  pulpit  on__each  side,  with  a space  between  them 
for  the  opening  of  the  east  and  west  doors. 

There  were  fifty  square  pews,  in  all,  upon  the  lower  floor, 
and  twenty-three  in  the  gallery ; those  in  the  gallery  being 
constructed  along  and  adjoining  to  the  east,  south,  and  west 
sides  of  the  house.  To  reach  these  fifty  pews  from  the 
principal  doors  and  avenues,  sundry  narrow  passage-ways 
were  necessary ; and  the  movements  of  the  people,  in  order 
to  reach  their  several  localities  in  the  house,  seemed  to  a 
looker-on  very  like  the  moves  of  the  pieces  upon  a chess- 
board. 

Upon  each  side  of  the  broad  aisle,  in  front  of  the  pulpit, 
were  sundry  long  seats,  or  benches,  with  upright  backs,  called 
“ body-seats ; ” which  were  free  to  all,  tliougli  generally  occu- 
I)ied  only  by  the  aged  and  the  poor,  — the  women  sitting 
upon  one  side  of  the  aisle,  and  the  men  upon  the  other. 


104 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


This  arrangement  of  ‘‘body-seats”  continued  up  to  1807; 
when  they  were  all  removed  but  one  upon  each  side,  and 
their  places  supplied  by  four  new  pews. 

The  pulpit  was  of  rather  a unique  order,  though  not  un- 
common at  the  time  it  was  built.  Its  front  was  a section  of 
an  octagon,  projecting  from  the  general  panelled  front  of  the 
structure,  terminated  below  by  the  sides  being  curved  and 
brought  to  a point.  Below  this  was  an  oblong  box,  called  the 
“ deacon’s  seat.”  The  access  to  the  pulpit  was  by  a single 
flight  of  stairs  turning  at  right  angles  about  half  the  distance 
from  the  floor  to  the  pulpit-door ; forming  a “ broad  stair,” 
which  it  was  very  common  for  some  large  dog,  that  had 
accompanied  his  master  to  church,  to  select  for  a place  of 
repose  while  the  services  were  going  on.  Over  the  pulpit 
hung  a formidable  sounding-board,  which  corresponded  in 
shape  somewhat  with  the  projecting  front  of  the  pulpit ; its 
upper  surface  converging  to  a point  at  the  top,  and  looking 
as  if  fltted  to  serve  for  an  extinguisher  for  the  pulpit. 

The  galleries  were  square,  extending  upon  three  sides  of 
the  house.  The  square  pillars  that  supported  these,  the  base 
and  cornice  of  the  fronts  of  the  galleries,  of  the  deacon’s 
seat  and  pulpit,  and  the  cornice  running  around  the  sounding- 
board,  were  painted  in  a kind  of  pointed  block-work  of  shaded 
marble,  unlike  any  thing  ever  seen  in  nature,  and  rarely  if 
ever  in  art  anywhere  else. 

The  pews,  as  has  been  stated,  were  square,  and  were  fur- 
nished with  narrow  seats  all  around,  except  at  the  entrance 
by  the  door,  and  the  side  next  the  pulpit ; and,  consequently, 
a considerable  proportion  of  the  audience  presented  only  a 
profile-view  to  the  preacher  while  addressing  them.  The  pews 
were  finished  with  panelled  sides ; above  which  was  a wide 
rail,  supported  by  little  turned  balusters,  some  six  or  eight 
inches  long,  the  chief  use  of  which,  next  to  their  beauty, 
was  to  give  employment  to  the  ever-busy  hands  of  the  little 
children  who  attended  church,  in  finding  out  which  of  them 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


105 


could  be  turned  around,  and  occasionally  disturbing  their  more 
sedate  mammas  by  the  unmistakable  creak  which  some  of  these 
balusters  would  give  if  forced  to  move.  Scarce  a single  seat 
in  the  church  was  furnished  with  any  thing  like  a cushion. 

But  the  most  remarkable  arrangement  in  respect  to  these 
pews  — though  it  is  believed  to  have  been  universal  in  meet- 
ing-houses of  that  date  — was  that  all  these  seats  were  hung 
upon  hinges,  and  were  so  divided  as  to  be  easily  raised  when 
the  worshippers  stood  up,  as  was  always  done,  during  prayer- 
time. Each  pew,  therefore,  had  about  five  or  six  separate 
seats  to  be  raised  or  let  fall ; and  as  it  was  the  universal 
custom  to  raise  these  whenever  the  congregation  stood  in 
service,  and  as  universal  to  let  them  fall  without  regard  to 
the  noise  thereby  made,  and  as  this  was  always  done  pretty 
nearly  in  unison,  the  effect  can  be  imagined  upon  one  unused 
to  such  a singular  fusilade,  — as  this  process  seemed  to  be,  to 
an  unaccustomed  ear.  Some  may  remember  the  alarm  mani- 
fested, on  one  occasion,  by  a gentleman  from  Philadelphia, 
who  attended  church  here  with  a friend  whom  he  was  visit- 
ing, whose  pew  was  upon  the  western  side  of  the  meeting- 
house, under  the  gallery.  At  so  sudden  and  unlooked-for 
a termination  of  a solemn  devotional  exercise,  he  was  per- 
suaded, for  a moment,  that  the  gallery  was  cracking,  and 
coming  down  around  his  ears  ; and,  seizing  his  hat,  he  was 
about  to  rush  for  the  door,  when  the  undisturbed  aspect  of  his 
neighbors  dispelled  his  apprehension. 

No  material  change  in  the  condition  of  the  house,  beyond 
the  erection  of  a belfry  and  steeple,  took  place  until  1826; 
when  it  was  removed  back  to  its  present  position,  — thereby 
occupying  a portion  of  the  original  buiying-ground  of  the 
town,  and  covering  the  graves  of  several  persons  who  had 
been  early  laid  there.  In  1829,  there  was  a complete  change 
and  renovation  of  the  interior  of  the  church.  Its  old  pulpit, 
with  its  sounding-board  and  its  deacon^s  seat,  and  the  old 
square  pews  and  the  galleries,  disappeared ; and  it  assumed  its 

14 


106 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


present  form.  It  was  dedicated  anew  on  the  13th  December 
of  that  year.  It  may  boast  a better  observance  of  the  laws  of 
symmetry,  and  a greater  convenience  of  arrangement ; but  it 
has  lost,  for  the  few  remaining  representatives  of  a former 
generation,  the  associations  which  hallowed  even  its  ugliness 
in  architectural  proportions,  and  its  violations  of  good  taste. 

The  first  bell  and  clock  which  had  ever  belonged  to  the 
town  were  manufactured  by  Mr.  George  Holbrook  of  Brook- 
field, and  placed  upon  this  meeting-house,  Jan.  13,  1803. 
There  had  previously  been  placed  on  the  Academy  a small 
bell,  which  is  said  to  have  been  a gift  to  that  institution ; but, 
with  this  exception,  there  seems  to  have  been  no  means  of 
calling  the  people  together  by  any  thing  like  a bell,  till  the 
year  1803.  The  first  bell  was  recast  in  1810,  and  again  in 
1834.  About  the  same  time,  a valuable  clock  was  presented 
to  the  town  by  Joshua  Clapp,  Esq.,  and  became  a substitute 
for  the  original  one,  which  had  become  somewhat  irregular  in 
its  movements  by  thirty  years’  use. 

No  history  of  the  society  that  has  worshipped  in  these 
houses  can  be  deemed  complete,  without  some  allusion  to  the 
changes  through  which  its  sacred  music  has  passed.  Although 
the  practice  of  psalmody,  in  some  form,  has  been  adopted 
by  the  New-England  churches  from  the  earliest  planting  of 
the  Colonies,  few  are  entirely  familiar  with  the  history  of  the 
changes  through  which  it  has  passed.  Two  or  three  works, 
professing  to  give  these  changes,  have  been  published  within  a 
few  years  ; * to  which  I shall  take  the  liberty  to  refer,  as  ex- 
plaining some  of  the  proceedings  of  the  town  which  appear  in 
its  records,  and  some  which  have  come  down  to  us  from  authen- 
tic sources  in  the  form  of  anecdote  and  personal  incident. 

According  to  the  universal  custom  of  these  churches,  the 
singing,  such  as  it  was,  was  strictly  congregational.  The 
tunes  were  exceedingly  few:  some  of  them,  by  omitting  or 


One  by  George  Hood,  Esq.;  the  other  by  Nathaniel  D.  Gould,  Esq. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


107 


inserting  a syllable  in  certain  lines,  were  made  to  serve 
the  double  purpose  of  long  or  common  metre.  The  conse- 
quence was,  that  not  only  were  the  whole  congregation  at 
liberty  to  unite  in  the  exercise,  but  they  did  so,  often  to 
the  sacrifice  of  accent  and  time,  and  not  unfrequently  of  tune 
also.  From  the  want  of  books,  it  was  customary  to  sing  from 
dictation ; the  deacon  reading  one,  and  after  a few  years 
two  lines,  which  were  sung ; and  then  .followed  a suspense, 
until  another  line  or  two  was  deaconed  out  ” and  the  tune 
resumed. 

The  Pilgrims  brought  with  them  Ainsworth’s  version  of  the 
Psalms.  This  gave  place  to  the  ‘‘  Bay  Psalm-book,”  which 
was  the  first  book  printed  in  America.  It  went  through  many 
editions  in  this  country  and  England,  — more  than  seventy 
in  all;  and,  in  1758,  it  was  revised  and  published  by  Eev. 
Thomas  Prince  of  Boston,  who  had  married  a sister  of  Daniel 
Denny,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Leicester. 

If  space  permitted,  it  might  be  amusing  to  refer  to  some 
of  the  matters  upon  which  the  public  mind  was  agitated  at  dif- 
ferent times  in  the  Colony  and  Province:  such  as,  whether  one 
person  alone  should  sing,  — the  congregation  joining  in  spirit, 
as  in  prayer ; whether  women  should  be  allowed  to  sing  in 
public  ; whether  carnal  men”  and  pagans,  or  only  Christians, 
should  be  allowed  to  sing ; and  whether  singing  should  be 
practised  in  tunes  invented ; ” and  whether  it  might  be  done 
by  reading  from  a book,  and  the  like. 

An  edition  of  Tate  and  Brady’s  version  of  the  Psalms  was 
published  in  1741;  and,  from  the  recollection  of  an  inform- 
ant, it  was  used  in  this  society  some  time  before  and  after 
1765;  though  from  the  greater  popularity,  in  its  day,  of  Dr. 
Prince’s  edition  of  the  “ Bay  Psalm-book,”  and  his  connection 
with  some  of  the  principal  families  in  town,  I should  have 
supposed  it  more  probable  that  the  latter  was  the  one  then  in 
use  here.  However  that  may  be,  the  condition  of  the  singing, 
as  above  described,  is  by  no  means  exaggerated. 


108 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Before  1720^  a singing-school  was  an  unknown  thing  in  the 
Province.  In  1690,  there  were  only  five  or  six  tunes  known 
here.*  In  1714  was  issued  an  edition  of  the  Bay  Psalm- 
book,’^ in  which  were  printed  thirty-seven  tunes,  all  of  which 
hut  one  were  common  metre.  The  first  book  of  music,  ever 
printed  by  itself  in  the  country,  was  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wal- 
ter in  1721;  and  this  was  the  first  music  with  bars  ever 
printed  in  America.  This,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  a few 
years  after  the  settlement  of  this  town.  The  singing  of 
psalms  was  regarded,  like  prayer,  as  a sacred  exercise,  in  the 
performance  of  which  people  uncovered  their  heads.  An 
edition  of  Watts  was  published  in  Philadelphia  in  1741,  but 
when  it  was  adopted  here  I have  no  means  of  ascertaining ; 
though  it  was  not  till  after  the  war  of  the  Revolution  that  it 
was  generally  adopted,  and  then  only  after  a long  and  violent 
struggle. 

Before  1764,  music  had  been  printed  with  three  parts;  but 
a work  published  in  that  year  was  printed  with  four  parts, 
giving  the  principal  melody  to  the  tenor. 

Before,  — from  1765  to  1770,  — there  were  few  or  no  choirs 
in  the  churches  in  the  country.  As  these  were  formed,  the 
custom  of  lining,”  or  deaconing,”  the  psalm,  grew  into 
disuse ; but,  like  every  other  change  in  the  fashion  of  church 
music,  it  was  only  after  a most  violent  and  determined  strug- 
gle that  it  was  given  up.  It  had  been  recommended  by  the 
Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines,  “ as  many  could  not  read  ;” 
and,  having  come  down  to  them  from  their  ancestors,  the  cus- 
tom had  become  sanctified  in  their  minds,  and  was  not  to 
be  surrendered. 

The  first  singing-book  typographically  printed,  as  distin- 
guished v from  engraved  scale  and  notes,  was  published  in 
Worcester  in  1786. 


* These  were  Oxford,  Litchfield,  York,  Windsor,  St.  David’s,  and  Martyrs.  The 
introduction  of  a new  tune  was  a rare  and  grave  matter,  acted  upon  by  the  church, 
and  often  submitted  to  a vote  of  the  parish. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


109 


It  is,  therefore,  not  surprising  that  a reform  in  the  matter 
of  singing  gained  ground  slowly  in  Leicester. 

The  first  singing-school  ever  taught  in  the  town  was  about 
1767  or  ’8.  In  the  latter  year,  they  were  called  together  to 
see  if  the  town  will  grant  a number  of  young  men,  who  have 
attained  the  rules  of  singing,  the  hindermost  seat  in  the 
front  gallery.”  Upon  grave  deliberation,  that  seat  was  appro- 
priated to  those  who  have  learnt  the  rules  of  singing,  until 
the  further  pleasure  of  the  town.” 

This  was  not  accomplished,  however,  without  serious  oppo- 
sition, as  has  already  been  observed ; but  a far  more  violent 
and  determined  resistance  was  offered  to  the  more  serious 
innovation  of  singing  without  “lining.” 

This  took  place  in  1780.  The  singers  had  applied  for  per- 
mission to  occupy  the  front  seat  in  the  gallery ; with  a view, 
doubtless,  of  performing  the  service  of  singing  as  a choir,  as 
a substitute  for  the  general  and  promiscuous  singing  by  the 
congregation.  The  permission  was  granted : and  the  choir, 
not  stopping  for  the  deacon  to  read  the  line,  drowned  his 
voice  when  he  attempted  it ; greatly  scandalizing  him  in 
his  sacred  office,  and  giving  mortal  offence  to  many  by  such 
an  unholy  usurpation.  Many  persons  left  the  meeting-house 
in  disgust : good  Mr.  K.  and  his  wife  were  among  the  num- 
ber ; and  they  consoled  themselves  in  the  assurance,  which 
they  pretty  audibly  expressed  in  the  hearing  of  the  congre- 
gation, that,  “ when  Col.  W.  got  home  from  the  General 
Court,  he  would  put  a stop  to  such  scandalous  doings.” 
LTnfortunately  for  them,  the  gentleman  referred  to  had  be- 
come familiar  with  the  change  in  Boston,  and  approved  it; 
and  it  was  found  that  revolutions  in  psalm-singing,  any  more 
than  in  more  worldly  affairs,  never  go  backwards. 

Since  that  time,  nothing  of  an  historic  interest  has  occurred 
in  this  department  of  public  worship  here,  beyond  the  occa- 
sional outcropping  of  that  sensitiveness  and  those  petty  jealou- 
sies which  form  an  essential  element  in  every  singing  choir. 


no 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


About  1827,  a few  members  of  the  society  purchased  by 
contribution,  and  placed  in  the  meeting-house,  a cheap 
church  organ ; which,  in  a few  years,  gave  place  to  the  one 
now  in  the  church.  This  was  the  first  church  organ  ever 
owned  in  town ; and  it  may  be  stated  in  this  connection, 
that  the  first  piano-forte,  ever  in  town,  was  purchased  by  the 
late  Col.  Thomas  Denny,  for  his  daughter,  about  1809.  It 
was  several  years  before  there  was  a second  one ; and  this 
was  owned  by  Miss  Southgate,  daughter  of  the  late  John 
Southgate. 

In  concluding  what  I propose  to  say  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational Society,  I may  add,  that  the  idea  of  warming  the 
meeting-house  by  artificial  heat  seems  never  to  have  occurred 
as  a practicable  thing  until  about  1812. 

The  good  lady  of  the  family  was  supplied  with  a tin  foot- 
stove,  upon  which  the  children  were  occasionally  permitted 
to  warm  their  aching  fingers.  At  the  interval  between  the 
forenoon  and  afternoon  services,  the  houses  of  those  living 
near  the  meeting-house  were  warmed  and  opened,  and  gene- 
rally crowded  by  those  who  lived  more  remote  from  the 
meeting-house.  Especially  was  this  the  case  with  the  two 
public-houses,  in  the  bar-rooms  of  which  the  affairs  and  topics 
and  news  of  the  week  sometimes  intruded  upon  holy  time. 
At  last,  it  having  been  ascertained  by  the  public  that  the 
same  means  by  which  a-  shop  or  factory  could  be  warmed  of 
a week-day  might  be  applied  to  render  a meeting-house  com- 
fortable of  a Sunday,  a few  individuals  — though  not  without 
opposition  on  the  part  of  others  — contributed  the  necessary 
means;  and,  about  1812,  stoves  were  placed  in  the  meeting- 
house. The  physical  comfort  of  the  congregation  has  since 
been  cared  for,  without,  as  it  is  hoped,  detracting  from  the 
spiritual  well-being  of  those  who  worship  there. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Ill 


BAPTISTS. 

A society  of  Anabaptists  were  worshipping  here  as  early 
as  1736.  It  had  been  gathered  by  Dr.  Thomas  Green  ; and 
their  place  of  worship  was  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  in 
what  is  now  Greenville,  in  the  vicinity  of  Dr.  Green’s  resi- 
dence. He  was  the  first  minister  of  the  society ; and,  through 
his  instrumentality,  a meeting-house  was  early  erected,  which 
remained  without  any  considerable  change  until  1825  ; when 
it  was  enlarged  and  repaired,  and  rendered  a comfortable  and 
convenient  house  of  worship. 

I am  unable  to  give  the  names  of  those  who  constituted  the 
society  at  its  commencement ; but  I find  among  its  members, 
in  1744,  William  Wicker,  Benjamin  Pudney,  Thomas  Jones, 
Joseph  Trumbull,  Nathaniel  Jones,  Josiah  Powers,  Jonathan 
Pudney,  and  Ebenezer  Tolman. 

Dr.  Green,  the  first  minister  of  this  society,  was  the  son 
of  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  and  was  born  in  Malden  in  1699. 
His  father  came  to  Leicester  as  early  as  1717,  and  was  one  of 
its  earliest  settlers.  While  he  was  preparing  to  remove  his 
family,  he  visited  the  town,  bringing  his  son  with  him ; and 
left  him  there  to  look  after  some  cattle,  which  he  had  driven 
from  Malden,  and  turned  out  upon  his  lands  in  Leicester.  It 
was  summer  ; and,  as  he  expected  to  return  in  a short  time, 
no  danger  was  apprehended  in  leaving  the  young  man  — then 
seventeen  or  eighteen  years  old  — thus  alone  in  the  wilder- 
ness. He,  however,  was  soon  attacked  with  a fever ; and  his 
father  was  unexpectedly  prevented  from  returning  as  he  had 
intended,  and  he  was  left  to  battle  with  the  disease  as  he  best 
could.  His  only  shelter  was  a kind  of  cave  under  a rock,  near 
the  stream  on  which  his  father  afterwards  erected  his  mills. 
His  only  sustenance  consisted  of  the  milk  of  one  of  the  cows, 
which  he  contrived  to  obtain  by  tying  her  calf  to  a tree  near 
his  cave ; which  led  her  to  visit  the  spot  several  times  a day. 


112 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


and  brought  her  within  his  reach.  The  water  he  used,  he 
obtained  by  creeping  upon  the  ground  to  the  stream.  In 
this  deplorable  condition,  some  of  his  former  neighbors  who 
were  landholders,  and  about  to  remove  to  Leicester,  and  had 
come  there  to  look  after  their  cattle,  found  him.  He  appealed 
to  them  for  aid  to  return  home  ; but  they  were  unable  to 
afford  it,  and  left  him.  On  their  return  to  Malden,  they 
informed  his  father  of  his  condition  ; and  he  immediately 
came  to  his  relief.  But  he  had  no  other  means  of  removing 
his  sick  son  through  the  new  and  (a  considerable  part  of 
the  way)  wilderness  country  between  Leicester  and  Mal- 
den, except  on  horseback ; and,  after  four  days’  travelling, 
he  accomplished  the  journey. 

He  removed  to  Leicester  with  his  father,  and  continued  to 
reside  in  the  same  immediate  vicinity  as  long  as  he  lived.  He 
became  an  eminent  and  successful  physician ; having,  by 
somewhat  peculiar  circumstances,  been  enabled  to  acquire 
a medical  education  much  superior  to  that  of  neighboring 
physicians.  It  is  said  that  two  English  surgeons,  who  had 
been  engaged  in  the  half-piratical  character  of  buccaneers, 
and  had  surrendered  themselves  to  the  government  under 
a promise  of  pardon,  became  the  inmates  of  Capt.  Green’s 
house,  and  boarded  in  his  family  for  several  years.  Finding 
the  son  tractable,  and  inclined  to  cultivate  a natural  taste  for 
medical  science,  they  readily  undertook  his  instruction ; and 
supplied  him,  moreover,  with  such  few  books  as  they  could 
command.  With  an  education  thus  begun,  and  a vigorous  and 
discriminating  mind,  — by  which  he  wrought  the  facts  that 
fell  under  his  observation  into  the  materials  of  science,  — he 
soon  attained  eminence  in  his  profession ; and  was  called  into 
all  the  region  around,  and  often  into  Bhode  Island  and  Con- 
necticut, in  the  course  of  his  wide  and  successful  practice. 
A notice  of  his  death,  in  the  “ Boston  Evening  Post,”  speaks 
of  him  as  a very  noted  physician.” 

But,  as  already  mentioned,  it  was  not  in  the  medical  pro- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


113 


fession  alone  that  he  took  an  active  and  prominent  place.  He 
became  a distinguished  divine  as  well  as  doctor.  The  church 
and  society  which  he  helped  to  organize  and  build  up,  was,  at 
first,  composed  of  persons  in  Sutton  and  Leicester.  He  was 
ordained  its  pastor,  in  Leicester,  in  1736 ; the  society  having 
erected  a meeting-house  near  his  father’s,  where  the  Baptist 
Meeting-house  now  stands.  This  lot  of  land  he  gave  to  the 
society,  together  with  a farm  and  house  for  a parsonage 
which  lie  a little  west  of  the  Charlton  Road,  upon  the  road 
leading  by  the  house  now  of  Charles  Barton.  The  house  in 
which  he  himself  lived  was  next  beyond  the  river,  on  the 
Charlton  Road ; in  which  his  grandson  Samuel  afterwards 
kept  a tavern.  He  was  a faithful,  zealous,  and  devoted  pastor, 
and  a popular  preacher.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that 
his  life  was  one  of  great  activity  and  usefulness.  - 

He  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Lynde  of  Mal- 
den, the  father  of  one  of  the  settlers  of  Leicester,  who  was 
here  as  early  as  1721.  His  wife  died  June  20,  1780.  The 
doctor  died  Aug.  19,  1773,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  They 
were  buried  in  the  cemetery  around  the  church  in  which  he 
ministered,  where  their  remains  reposed  until  the  consecration 
of  the  Rural  Cemetery  in  Worcester ; when  a distinguished 
descendant,  who  has  sustained  the  reputation  of  the  ancestor 
as  a physician,  removed  them  to  that  beautiful  repository 
of  the  dead.  Dr.  Green  had  seven  children:  Samuel;  IMartha, 
who  married  Dr.  Robert  Craige ; Isaac;  Thomas;  John,  who 
removed  to  Worcester  ; Solomon ; and  Elizabeth,  who  married 
her  father’s  successor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Foster. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Foster,  D.D.,  was  settled  over  this  society  in 
1772.  He  was  born  in  Danvers  in  1750,  and  was  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1771.  He  studied  theology  with  the  dis- 
tinguished Dr.  Stillman  of  Boston;  having  become  a convert, 
it  is  said,  to  the  opinions  which  he  afterwards  maintained, 
by  having,  while  in  college,  been  appointed  to  defend  infant- 
baptism  by  sprinkling. 


16 


lU 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


After  remaining  at  Leicester  about  eight  years,  the  society 
being  unable  to  provide  him  a suitable  maintenance,  he  was 
dismissed,  and  preached  about  two  years  in  Danvers.  From 
thence  he  removed  to  Newport,  where  he  was  settled  over 
a society,  and  remained  until  1788  ; when  he  removed  to 
New  York,  where  he  became  the  minister  of  the  First  Baptist 
Society  in  that  city.  Here  he  remained  till  his  death,  in  1798, 
in  the  fortyminth  year  of  his  age.  His  death  was  as  heroic 
as  his  life  had  been  eminent  for  piety  and  usefulness.  He  was 
residing  in  the  city  when  the  yellow-fever  broke  out  in  1798. 
While  others  fled  in  consternation  from  the  power  of  the 
destroyer,  he  stood  at  his  post  undismayed : he  shrunk  from 
no  call  of  duty;  and  fell  a martyr  to  a devotion,  in  his  ministra- 
tions, to  the  dying  and  the  dead.  He  died  Aug.  26,  1798. 

He  was  a learned  scholar  and  an  eminent  divine.  He  was 
honored  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  from  Brown 
University,  in  1792.  While  in  Leicester,  he  published  a work 
on  polemical  divinity,  and  subequently  a dissertation  upon 
the  seventy  weeks  of  Daniel.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
Greek,  Hebrew,  and  Chaldaic  languages ; and  had  achieved 
a high  reputation  for  learning  and  ability,  when  cut  down  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness  and  growing  reputation. 

He  married,  for  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth  Green,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Thomas  Green ; and,  for  his  second,  a lady  of  New  York. 

Dr.  Foster  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Isaac  Beals ; and  the 
Rev.  Nathan  Dana  became  his  successor.  The  Rev.  Peter 
Rogers  succeeded  Mr.  Dana : he  lived  where  Mr.  Charles 
Whittemore  lately  lived ; and,  after  a few  years,  removed, 
and  was  settled  over  a society  in  Leyden. 

I regret  my  inability  to  speak  more  fully  of  these  gentle- 
men. The  society,  never  numerous  or  rich,  has  been  at  times 
embarrassed  and  feeble ; and,  consequently,  unable  to  retain 
settled  pastors  for  any  considerable  length  of  time.  Their 
supply  has,  therefore,  often  been  temporary. 

Among  those  who,  at  times,  have  supplied  the  pulpit,  was 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


115 


Rev.  Nathaniel  Green.  He  was  the  son  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Green,  who  is  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  work ; and  was 
born  in  Stoneham  in  1721.  He  removed  to  Leicester,  and 
resided  there  more  than  twenty  years  ; after  which  he  re- 
moved to  Charlton,  where  he  continued  till  his  death,  in 
1791,  at  the  age  of  seventy.  He  was  ordained  as  a Baptist 
minister  at  the  mature  age  of  forty-three  ; and  preached  at 
various  times  in  Leicester,  Spencer,  and  Charlton.  He  had 
ten  children,  — all  born  in  Leicester  between  the  years  1749 
and  1770. 

In  1818,  the  society  was  divided  in  consequence  of  the 
remoteness  of  several  of  its  members  from  their  place  of 
worship ; and  a new  society  was  formed  in  the  nortl>east  part 
of  Spencer.  Since  that  time,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hill,  Rev.  Benja- 
min N.  Harris,  Rev.  John  Green  (a  descendant  from  the 
primitive  stock  of  the  name),  and  Rev.  Moses  Harrington, 
have  preached  at  different  periods  to  this  people.  It  is 
pleasant  to  know  that  the  society  are  about  to  erect  a better 
house  of  worship,  upon  the  site  of  the  one  hitherto  occupied 
by  them.  - 

Besides  the  Baptist  society  above  mentioned,  there  was, 
for  many  years,  a society  of  that  denomination  in  towm,  to 
which  Elder  Richard  Southgate  was  preacher.  They  met  in 
the  schoolhouse  which  stood  opposite  the  house  then  of 
Judge  Steele.  It  was  never  organized  as  a corporate  religious 
society;  and,  after  the  death  of  Elder  Southgate,  seems  to 
have  been  merged  in  other  societies. 

Elder  Southgate  was  a son  of  Richard  Southgate,  who  came 
here  from  England  at  the  first  settlement  of  the  town.  Lie 
was  born  in  England,  July  13,  1714.  He  married  Eunice 
Brown  of  Leicester;  and  lived  in  a house  (where  there  is  now 
a cellar)  near  the  west  line  of  the  town,  upon  the  north  side 
of  the  road  leading  by  the  house  of  the  late  Thomas  Sprague. 
He  died  in  1798,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five.  Among  liis 
descendants  is  a well-known  gentleman,  wlio  is  elsewhere 


116 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


noticed ; who  has  been,  for  many  years,  a prominent  and 
enterprising  citizen  of  Leicester. 

QUAKERS. 

There  was  an  association  or  society  of  Friends,  in  Leicester, 
from  a period  as  early  as  1732  till  recently;  when,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  removal  of  so  large  a proportion  of  its  members, 
its  place  of  meeting  was  transferred  to  Worcester. 

One  of  the  earliest  of  these  was  Ralph  Earle, — the  ancestor 
of  the  once  numerous,  and  always  respectable,  families  of  that 
name  in  town.  He  became  an  owner  of  lands  in  the  town, 
and  removed  there  from  Tiverton,  R.I.,  in  1718.  At  what 
time  he  associated  himself  with  the  Friends,  I am  unable  to 
determine  ; though,  from  the  active  part  which  he  took  in  the 
settlement  of  Mr.  Parsons,  I infer  that  at  that  time,  and  for 
some  time  after,  he  was  a member  of  his  society  and  church. 
In  1732,  however,  he,  with  seven  others,  certified  to  the  clerk 
of  the  town,  that  they  belonged  to  what  the  clerk,  with  evi- 
dently little  regard  to  the  spelling  of  the  king’s  English,  calls 
those  people  called  Quackers.”  The  names  of  his  associates 
were  William  Earle,  Thomas  Smith,  Robert  Earle,  Daniel  Hill, 
Nathaniel  Potter,  Joseph  Potter,  and  Benjamin  Earle.'^ 

I have  not  been  able  to  trace  more  fully  the  origin  of  the 
society  which,  soon  afterwards,  was  in  possession  of  a house 
of  worship  that  stood  where  their  present  meeting-house 
stands.f  The  present  house  was  erected  in  1791.  As  most 


* Steward  Southgate,  who  had  been  a member  of  the  church  of  the  First  Society, 
joined  the  Quakers  about  1745.  I find  a copy  of  the  following  vote  of  the  church:  — 

“ At  a meeting  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Leicester,  May  23, 1745,  the  following 
vote  was  put  to  the  brethren:  ‘ Verily,  brethren,  if  it  be  your  minds  to  choose  a Com- 
mittee to  deal  with  Brother  Steward  Southgate,  and  inquire  into  the  reasons  of  his 
withdrawing  himself  from  communion  with  us,  both  in  word  and  ordinances,  you 
are  desired  to  manifest.’  It  passed  in  ye  affirmative;  and  Deacon  Southgate  and  Bro- 
ther John  Brown  were  chosen  to  be  a Committee  for  the  above-mentioned  end,  and  to 
make  return  at  our  next  meeting.  D.  Goddard,  Pastor." 

“Deacon  Southgate”  was  James,  uncle  of  Stewart. 

t I find  it  mentioned  as  standing  in  1742.  A friend  describes  it  as  a low,  one-story 
building,  twenty  by  twenty-two  feet.  It  was  sold,  in  1791,  to  Luther  Ward;  who 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


117 


of  the  society  resided  in  the  northerly  part  of  the  town,  their 
house  was  naturally  located  in  that  neighborhood.  The  spot 
is  one  of  much  beauty ; and  if,  as  Whitney  (in  his  History  of 
the  county)  says,  the  house  “ is  a very  good  one  for  their  way 
of  worship,’’  — taken  with  its  surroundings,  it  is  singularly 
attractive  to  persons  of  a contemplative  turn  of  mind.  Few 
things  in  nature  could  be  better  fitted  to  soothe  and  harmonize 
the  tired  spirits  of  a busy  week  than  the  solemn  stillness 
that  reigns  there  of  a calm  sabbath  morning  in  early  summer, 
when  nothing  is  heard  but  the  rustling  leaves  of  the  forest- 
trees  by  which  it  is  surrounded,  and  the  pleasant  notes  of  the 
birds  that  nestle  in  their  branches. 

The  society  was  never  numerous,  but  always  embraced  a 
large  proportion  of  thriving,  intelligent,  order-loving  members. 
In  1826,  their  number  was  about  a hundred  and  thirty  ; but, 
as  already  stated,  so  many  have  since  that  time  removed  from 
the  town,  especially  to  Worcester,  that  meetings  are  no  longer 
held  in  their  meeting-house.  It  stands  as  an  historical  monu- 
ment ; and  the  ashes  of  some  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  town, 
in  their  day,  repose  within  the  enclosure  which  surrounds  it. 

EPISCOPAL  SOCIETY. 

In  1823,  a Protestant-Episcopal  church  and  society  were 
formed,  in  that  part  of  the  town  now  called  Clappville,  of 
families  belonging  to  Leicester  and  Oxford  (then  called  Oxford 
North  Grore).  Among  these,  Samuel  Hartwell,  Esq.,  James 
Anderton,  Francis  Wilby,  and  Hezekiah  Stone,  were  the  most 
active.  A church  was  erected  upon  land  given  by  the  last- 
mentioned  gentleman  ; which  was  consecrated  by  Bishop 
Griswold  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  May,  1824. 

The  first  rector  inducted  into  office  was  the  Eev.  Joseph 
Muenscher.  He  was  born  in  Providence  ; was  graduated  at 


removed  it  to  the  place  where  it  now  stands,  upon  the  Rutland  Road,  south  of  where 
Barnard  Upham  formerly  lived,  at  the  intersection  of  what  was  once  called  Tea  Lane 
with  that  road.  It  was  fitted  and  occupied  as  a dwelling-house  by  ^Ir.  W ard. 


118 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Brown  University  in  1821 ; studied  theology  at  Andover  ; and 
was  admitted  to  orders  by  Bishop  Griswold,  in  March,  1824. 
He  married  Ruth,  a daughter  of  Joseph  Washburn,  Nov.  21, 
1825;  and  their  marriage  was  the  first  ever  solemnized  in  a 
church,  in  the  county,  according  to  the  forms  of  Episcopal 
service.  He  left  Leicester  in  1827 ; and  was  subsequently 
rector  of  a church  at  Northampton,  and  in  Saco,  Me. ; after- 
wards a professor  in  Kenyon  College,  0.  ; and,  for  many 
years,  rector  of  a church  in  Mount  Yernon,  0.  He  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Kenyon 
College. 

Upon  his  removal  from  Leicester,  the  Rev.  William  Horton 
succeeded  him  in  the  ministry  for  two  years.  The  Rev.  Lot 
Jones  was  then  rector  for  four  years ; Rev.  Stephen  Millet, 
one  year ; and  Rev.  Mr.  Blackaller,  four  years.  In  1838, 
Rev.  Eleazer  Greenleaf  became  rector  for  one  year;  when  Rev. 
John  T.  Sabine  succeeded  him.  After  six  months.  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Withington  became  the  rector,  and  remained  nearly  two 
years.  In  1841,  Rev.  E.  C.  Putnam  was  rector  for  one  year. 
In  1843,  the  Rev.  Orange  Clark,  D.D.,  was  rector  for  one 
year.  The  next  five  years,  the  Rev.  James  L.  Scott  filled  the 
office  ; and,  since  that  time,  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev. 
J.  Hill  Rouse,  has  been  the  rector. 

UNITARIAN  SOCIETY. 

In  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1832-3,  several  families  in 
the  town  formed  a Unitarian  religious  society,  which  was 
organized  on  the  13th  April,  1833.  The  following  year,  they 
erected  a neat  and  convenient  house  of  worship.  Aug.  13, 
1834,  the  Rev.  Samuel  May  was  ordained  over  the  church 
and  society,  and  remained  their  pastor  until  July  12,  1846. 
Mr.  May  was  a native  of  Boston ; was  graduated  at  Harvard 
in  1829.  He  married  a daughter  of  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  P. 
Russell  of  Boston. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


119 


The  society  has  at  no  time  been  numerous,  and  has  been 
for  a considerable  part  of  the  time,  since  the  dismission  of 
Mr.  May,  without  any  permanent  preacher.  Among  those 
who  have  supplied  its  pulpit  has  been  the  Eev.  Dr.  Thomp- 
son, formerly  settled  in  Barre. 

METHODISTS. 

Previous  to  1828,  there  were  very  few,  if  any,  Methodists 
in  the  town.  With  a pretty  general  acquaintance  with  the 
people,  I am  now  unable  to  recall  a single  one.  About 
1841  and  2,  an  interest  was  awakened  in  the  minds  of  many 
in  favor  of  the  views  entertained  by  that  denomination  of 
Christians  ; and,  in  October  of  the  latter  year,  they  began  to 
hold  meetings  in  the  Town  Hall.  After  this  they  continued 
to  increase  till  they  were  able  to  erect  (in  1846)  two  meeting- 
houses,— one  in  Cherry  Valley,  the  other  in  the  village  of 
Leicester : the  first  being  a Methodist-Episcopal  society ; the 
other,  a Wesleyan-Methodist  society.  That  in  Cherry  Valley 
was  burned  down  in  February,  1856 ; but  soon  after  rebuilt. 
The  ministers  of  the  Methodist-Episcopal  society  have  been 
— George  Dunbar,  J.  T.  Pettee,  G.  F.  Pool,  T.  W.  Lewis, 
D.  Z.  Kilgore,  W.  B.  Olds,  Daniel  Atkins,  G.  E.  Chapman, 
J.  W.  P.  Jordan,  Albert  Gould.  Those  of  the  Wesleyan- 
Methodist  society:  William  C.  Clark,  Christopher  C.  Mason, 
David  Mason,  Simon  E.  Pike,  J.  A.  Gibson,  Thomas  Williams, 
and  Benjamin  B.  Bullock. 


CATHOLICS. 

A still  more  remarkable  innovation  upon  the  early  religious 
notions  and  habits  of  the  people  was  made  by  the  erection 
of  a Roman -Catholic  church  on  the  Great  Post  Road,  about 
half  a mile  east  of  the  village,  in  1855. 

My  own  memory  goes  back  to  a time,  when,  with  the 
exception  of  an  amusing  and  ingenious  Scotch  tailor,  there 
was  scarcely  a single  person  of  foreign  birth  in  town.  It  is 


120 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


believed  there  was  not  one.  The  establishment  of  manufac- 
tories in  town  led  to  the  introduction  of  a few  (chiefly  English) 
families,  between  1815  and  1821 ; but  I cannot  recall  a single 
Catholic  resident  of  the  town  till  many  years  after  the  period 
last  mentioned. 

The  influx  of  a Catholic  population  of  foreign  birth  within 
a few  years  past,  many  of  whom  are  now  freeholders  in  the 
town,  led  to  the  erection  of  the  church  above  mentioned  for 
their  accommodation.* 

If  we  could  imagine  some  of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the 
town  returning  to  their  former  homesteads,  we  could  easily 
conjecture  their  surprise  at  hearing  the  shibboleth  of  a strange 
tongue  around  the  very  hearthstones  where  they  once  ga- 
thered their  now  scattered  and  almost  forgotten  households. 

Happily,  there  seems  to  have  been  a disposition  to  yield 
without  complaint  to  what,  in  our  country,  is  regarded  by 
many  as  the  law  of  progress ; while  the  chief  evil  of  these 
multiplied  sects  consists  in  weakening  the  disposition  and 
ability  to  sustain  either,  in  a manner  suitable  to  the  dignity 
and  importance  of  the  religious  institutions  of  a people. 

JEWS. 

Perhaps  no  more  proper  connection  than  the  present  will 
present  itself  in  which  to  introduce  an  interesting  episode  in 
the  history  of  the  town,  — the  residence  here,  for  some  years, 
of  several  families  of  Jews.  It  has  not,  however,  any  thing 
properly  to  do  with  the  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  the  town ; 
though  these  families  brought  with  them,  and  scrupulously 
maintained  while  here,  their  peculiar  forms  of  faith  and  wor- 
ship. 

They  came  here  from  Newport,  in  1777,  to  find  a refuge 
from  the  invasion  of  the  island  by  the  British  troops,  as  did 


* It  is  stated  upon  reliable  authority,  that,  for  a few  years  past,  a majority  of  the 
births  in  town  have  been  of  foreign  parents. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


121 


several  other  families  from  the  same  neighborhood;  this  being 
regarded  a retired  and  healthy  locality,  where  they  might 
find  a safe  and  hospitable  retreat.  I have  heard  the  late 
venerable  Thomas  Rotch,  jun.,  of  New  Bedford,  — whose 
wife,  then  a young  woman,  had  removed  with  her  family  from 
Newport  to  Leicester,  — speak  with  an  interest,  which  nearly 
seventy  years  had  not  subdued,  of  the  character  of  the  town 
for  hospitality  and  public  spirit  during  the  period  of  which  I 
am  speaking,  and  during  which  he  more  than  once  visited  it. 
He  spoke  in  terms  of  affectionate  recollection  of  families 
with  whom  he  then  became  acquainted,  whose  names,  even, 
have  now  become  matters  of  history  only ; but  to  some  of 
whom  I shall  have  occasion  to  allude  again,  when  I come  to 
speak  of  the  general  history  of  the  town. 

Including  their  servants  and  slaves,  of  whom  I have  spoken 
in  another  place,  the  number  of  persons  embraced  in  these 
families  of  Jews  was  about  seventy.  They  were  of  Portu- 
guese descent,  as  might  be  inferred  from  their  names,  — 
Lopez,  Rivera,  and  Mendez. 

Abraham  Mendez  lived,- a part  of  the  time,  in  the  house 
opposite  to  where  Mrs.  Samuel  Newhall  now  lives;  and  a part 
of  the  time  in  the  old  house  which  stood  at  the  foot  of  the 
Meeting-house  Hill,  where  the  house  of  the  late  Capt.  Joshua 
Sprague  now  stands. 

Jacob  Rod  Rivera  lived  in  the  house,  which  forms  a part  of 
the  Hotel,  opposite  the  Meeting-house.  He  purchased  this 
estate,  consisting  of  thirty-one  acres  of  land,  of  Nathan  Waite, 
in  September,  1777 ; and,  in  his  deed,  is  described  as  a mer- 
chant. 

Five  of  the  number  bore  the  name  of  Lopez.  The  princi- 
pal and  head  of  the  families  of  this  name  was  Aaron  Lopez,  a 
man  universally  esteemed  and  respected  by  a wide  circle  of 
personal  and  business  friends.  He  was  a merchant  of  great 
wealth,  and  engaged  extensively  in  trade  while  he  resided  in 
Leicester.  He  purchased  the  estate,  afterwards  occupied  by 

16 


122 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  Academy,  of  Henry  Bass  of  Boston,  and  Joseph  Allen, 
Esq.,  of  Leicester,  Feb.  1,  1777  ; and  erected  thereon  what 
was  called  in  that  day  “ a large  and  elegant  mansion,”  de- 
signed for  a store  as  well  as  a dwelling-house.  His  stock  of 
goods  on  hand,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  exceeded  twelve 
thousand  dollars ; while  his  entire  estate  was  valued  at  more 
than  a hundred  thousand  dollars. 

1 give  the  boundaries  of  his  estate,  which  are  described 
in  his  deed,  as  partly  depicting  the  condition  then  of  that 
portion  of  the  village.  It  is  said  to  be  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Country  Road,  eastward  of  and  near  to  the  Meeting- 
house : bounded  southerly  by  the  Country  Road,  six  rods ; 
eastwardly,  to  a heap  of  stones  ; then  by  the  land  of  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Conklin,  Ac.,  to  a heap  of  stones  on  a rock;  then 
turning,  Ac.,  to  a stake,  and  heap  of  stones,  by  the  lane  lead- 
ing from  the  Meeting-house  to  the  remains  of  a house  formerly 
possessed  by  Israel  Parsons,  deceased ; from  thence  bounded 
westerly  by  said  lane  in  part,  and  partly  by  the  training-field^ 
to  the  south-east  corner  of  the  place  whereon  the  old  school- 
house  stood,  — and  containeth  half  an  acre  by  measure,  to- 
gether with  a dwelling-house  and  shop  situate  thereon.” 
He  afterwards  added  a half-acre  adjoining  it,  upon  the  east ; 
and  these  two  constituted  the  estate  which  Col.  Crafts  and 
Col.  Jacob  Davis  afterwards  purchased,  and  gave  to  the 
Academy. 

Mr.  Lopez  also  owned  other  lands  in  Leicester ; but  none  of 
these  families  engaged  in  agriculture  as  a business.  Mendez 
and  Rivera,  as  well  as  Aaron  Lopez,  were  traders,  though  to 
a much  smaller  extent.  Moses  Lopez  and  Jacob  Lopez  were 
clerks  of  Aaron;  as  well  as  Joseph,  his  son,  who  was  also  a 
member  of  his  family. 

Though  without  a place  of  assembling  for  worship  here, 
they  rigidly  observed  the  rites  and  requirements  of  their 
own  laws,  keeping  Saturday  as  holy  time ; but,  out  of  regard 
to  the  sentiments  of  the  people  among  whom  they  were 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


123 


settled,  carefully  keeping  their  stores  closed  from  Friday 
evening  until  Monday  morning  of  each  week."^ 

Though  differing  from  their  neighbors  in  matters  of  reli- 
gious faith,  they  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  by 
their  upright  and  honorable  dealing,  the  kindliness  and  cour- 
tesy of  their  intercourse,  and  the  liberality  and  public  spirit 
which  they  evinced  as  citizens. 

They  remained  here  until  the  ratification  of  peace  in  1783  ; 
when,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Lopez,  they  returned  to 
Newport,  carrying  with  them  the  respect  and  kind  regard 
of  a community  with  which  they  had  been  intimately  asso- 
ciated for  six  years. 

No  one  of  their  contemporaries  here  survives ; but  their 
residence  was  always  spoken  of,  by  such  as  had  personally 
known  them,  as  a matter  of  pleasant  memory,  which  it  is 
believed  was  reciprocated  by  those  who  had  found  here  a 
pleasant  home.f 

The  fate  of  Mr.  Aaron  Lopez  was  a melancholy  one.  I 
have  spoken  of  him  as  a man  of  wealth  and  liberal  views. 
He  had  been  one  of  the  merchant-princes  of  Newport,  when 
that  city  commanded  the  foreign  commerce  of  the  country. 
After  his  removal  to  Leicester,  his  style  of  living  was  gene- 
rous and  hospitable ; and  the  furniture  of  his  house,  the  plate 
upon  his  table,  and  the  retinue  of  his  servants,  wore  an  air 
of  magnificence  among  his  less-endowed  neighbors : but  the 
cordiality  of  his  manners  and  his  liberal  hospitality  disarmed 
all  cavil  and  envy  on  their  part. 

On  the  20th  May,  1782,  he  started  with  his  wife  and  some 
members  of  his  family  for  Providence.  His  family  were  in  a 


♦ I cannot  forbear  noticing  a very  small,  though  rather  important,  typographical 
mistake  of  the  printer,  in  publishing  a brief  history  of  the  town  in  1826.  The  writer 
had  spoken  of  the  return  of  these  families  of  Jews  to  Newport,  and  of  their  synagogue 
there  being  unoccupied,  &c.  By  some  accident,  the  was  dropped  from  the  word 
there,  so  as  to  fix  the  locality  of  the  synagogue  '•'‘here;  ” and  inquiries  have  often  been 
made  by  the  curious  to  ascertain  in  what  part  of  Leicester  it  was  to  be  found. 

t Mr.  Rivera  died  at  Newport  in  February,  1789. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


carriage  ; he  in  a sulky/’  driven,  of  course,  by  himself. 
In  Smithfield,  the  road  passed  close  by  the  edge  of  Scott’s 
Pond,  so  called,  the  shore  of  which  is  very  abrupt,  and  the 
water,  at  a short  distance,  deep.  Mr.  Lopez,  probably  being 
unaware  of  the  fact,  allowed  his  horse  to  enter  the  water  in 
order  to  drink ; but,  perceiving  he  was  getting  beyond  his 
depth,  sprung  from  the  sulky  into  the  water,  and,  being 
unable  to  swim,  sank  and  perished,  in  view  of  his  agonized 
and  affrighted  wife  and  children. 

The  following  just  tribute  I copy  from  a paper  of  the  day ; 
which,  after  noticing  the  circumstances  of  his  death,  adds, 
“ He  was  a merchant  of  eminence,  of  polite  and  amiable  man- 
ners. Hospitality  and  benevolence  were  his  true  character- 
istics. An  ornament  and  a valuable  pillar  in  the  Jewish 
society  of  which  he  was  a member.  His  knowledge  in  com- 
merce was  unbounded ; and  his  integrity,  irreproachable. 
Thus  he  lived,  and  thus  he  died ; much  regretted,  esteemed, 
and  loved  by  all.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


125 


CHAPTEE  V. 

LOCAL  HISTORY. 

GARRISONS.  — INDIAN  WARS.— CASUALTIES.  — JOHN  SOUTHGATE,  Jun. 

— VILLAGE  OF  LEICESTER.— THE  LAST  SPINNER.  — AUNT  HANNAH. 

— SOCIAL  HABITS.— CELEBRATION  OF  FOURTH  JULY.  — WASHING- 
TON. — LAFAYETTE.  — CEMETERIES.  — MOUNT  PLJ:ASANT,  &c.  — 

PUBLIC-HOUSES.  — CELLARS.  — EMIGRATION. 

By  local  history,  which  is  the  subject  of  the  present  chapter, 
is  intended  those  incidents  and  events  which  are  supposed  to 
have  a sufficient  interest  to  be  preserved  by  their  local  asso- 
ciation and  relation,  but  have  no  immediate  connection  with 
the  persons  or  events  which  are  treated  of  in  the  general 
history  of  the  state  or  country.  In  all  candor,  therefore,  to 
the  reader,  it  should  benobserved,  that,  without  the  attraction 
of  local  attachment  or  personal  associations,  he  can  hope  to 
find  little  to  repay  him  for  the  time  its  perusal  might  cost 
him. 

Besides  the  difficulties  inherent  in  the  very  attempt  to 
record  such  events,  there  are  in  the  present  case  many  pecu- 
liar to  the  undertaking.  The  time  for  writing  such  a chapter 
has  gone  by.  A thousand  incidents  worthy  of  being  pre- 
served have  been  lost  or  forgotten,  or  have  ceased  to  be  of 
interest,  because  few  or  none  are  left  to  narrate  them,  or  to 
appreciate  their  value  if  made  accessible  by  the  labors  of 
others. 

Of  the  groups  who,  fifty  years  ago,  miglit  be  gathered  in 
any  part  of  the  town,  with  memories  teeming  with  recollec- 
tions and  traditions  of  the  days  prior  to  and  during  the 
Revolution,  not  one  remains. 


126 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


This  circumstance  has  before  been  alluded  to ; and  it  is 
again  recalled,  because  it  is  chiefly  to  memory  and  tradition 
that  any  community  is  indebted  for  much  of  the  material  of  . 
its  own  proper  local  history.  From  the  immediate  descend- 
ants of  a generation  which  shared  in  the  hardships  and 
dangers  of  the  Indian  and  French  wars,  the  boy  of  fifty  years 
ago  often  listened  to  the  tales  which  the  fathers  of  that 
generation  had  told  their  children  of  their  trials  and  suffer- 
ings. Some  of  the  first  settlers  were  alive  when  the  war  of 
the  Revolution  broke  out,  and  could  have  told  of  the  felling 
of  the  first  tree  by  the  white  man,  while  the  smoke  yet  rose 
from  the  wigwam  in  the  forest.  They  could  have  pointed 
out  where  they  had  seen  the  beaver  building  his  dam  in  the 
meadow,  and  told  how  the  wolf  and  the  bear  and  the  wild- 
cat had  divided  with  the  settler  the  mastery  of  the  wilderness 
in  which  he  reared  his  lonely  log-cabin. 

Traditions  derived  from  such  sources  would  have  found  cre- 
dence and  been  read  with  satisfaction  by  the  children  of  those 
who  shared  in  the  scenes  they  described.  But  the  children 
as  well  as  the  actors  are  gone  ; and,  if  these  traditions  are 
gathered  up  at  all,  it  must  be  for  a generation  who  can  feel 
little  personal  interest  in  their  preservation. 

I have  already  spoken  of  the  hermit  of  Carey’s  Hill,  whom, 
it  is  said,  our  fathers  found  dwelling  all  alone  among  the 
denizens  of  the  forest.  Who  he  was,  or  why  he  had  chosen 
this  retreat  from  a world  by  no  means  overcrowded,  has  not 
come  down  to  the  present  age ; and  even  a belief  in  the  tra- 
dition at  all  is  somewhat  of  a tax  upon  modern  credulity. 

That  our  fathers  found  here  the  Indian,  and  the  wild  beast 
which  he  hunted,  there  have  been  proofs  preserved  to  the 
present  generation,  besides  the  records  of  the  settlers.  The 
arrowhead,  the  rude  stone  axe  and  chisel,  of  the  aborigines, 
liave  been  occasionally  dug  up  in  the  places  of  their  former 
haunts.  The  dam  which  the  beaver  constructed,  and  the 
deep,  well-like  holes  which  he  dug,  in  connection  with  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


127 


half-human  habitation  in  which  he  dwelt,  have  been  visible 
in  various  parts  of  the  town  within  a few  years ; and  migdit,  1 
doubt  not,  still  be  seen  in  the  Town  Meadow,  if  objects,  which 
were  once  the  subject  of  curious  research,  have  not  been 
obliterated  by  having  been  overflowed  in  the  process  of  con- 
verting it  into  a mill-pond. 

The  outline  of  Judge  Menzies’  garrison,  that  stood  near 
the  Henshaw  Place,  as  a refuge  from  the  Indians,  might,  till 
recently,  have  been  easily  traced  by  the  eye ; and  the  erec- 
tion of  a garrison  around  Mr.  Parson’s  house  was  one  of  the 
flrst  corporate  acts  of  the  town  which  are  contained  in  its 
records.  Another  garrison  stood  near  the  house  of  the  late 
Jonah  Earle;  and  the  house  of  the  late  John  King,  Esq., 
which  was  among  the  earliest  built,  is  said  to  have  been  a 
garrison,  and,  till  within  a few  years,  to  have  shown  marks  of 
musket-balls,  which  must  have  been  received  at  that  early 
period.* 

It  will  be  recollected,  that,  till  1725,  this  was  a frontier 
town.  A war  began  with  the  eastern  Indians  in  1722,  and 
continued  till  December,  1726;  in  which  the  frontier  settle- 


* Since  the  above  was  written,  I have  found  in  the  Secretar^^’s  office  the  following 
allusion  to  two  of  these  garrisons  : Aug.  3,  1724,  Thomas  Xewhall  wrote  to  Lieut.- 
Gov.  Dumnier,  that,  in  pui-suance  of  orders  from  Col.  Chandler,  he  had  received 
nineteen  soldiers  into  his  majesty’s  service,  and,  by  advice  of  the  Shrewsbury  officers, 
had  posted  ten  of  them  in  that  town.  Nine,  with  himself,  were  posted  satisfactorily  to 
the  inhabitants.  But,  understanding  that  Judge  Menzies  complained  that  he  was  abused 
in  posting  the  men,  he  goes  on  to  explain,  that,  as  the  judge’s  tenant  had  no  suitable 
provision  to  accommodate  a soldier,  he  had  ordered  him  to  board  at  the  next  neigh- 
bor’s, who  was  ordered,  as  well  as  the  soldier,  “to  the  judge’s  garrison.”  Capt.  Wright 
had  been  there,  and  did  not  see  any  cause  to  make  any  alteration ; but  to  oblige  the 
judge,  “there  being  now  an  honorable  family  removed  into  the  judge’s  garrison,”  he 
had  “billeted  him  out  there.” 

May  31,  172.5,  the  Bev.  Mr.  Parsons  writes  to  the  Lieut. -Governor,  in  which  he  says 
he  is  under  great  obligation,  &c., — “1st,  About  my  garrison;  2d,  As  to  the  two  sol- 
diers, by  Capt.  Wright,  posted  by  your  honor’s  order.  But  they  have  been  a consider- 
able time  without  avocation.  I meet  with  some  difficulty  with  one  of  them,  who  is 
not  pleased  with  my  family  orders,  and,  his  captain  being  at  a distance,  takes  more 
liberty  than  is  very  pleasing  to  me.”  He  says  he  does  not  mean  to  complain,  but  sug- 
gests some  one,  fifty  miles  distant,  to  take  his  place.  The  reverend  getitleman  seems 
to  have  been  unfortunate  in  his  associates  in  his  garrison  as  well  as  his  church. 


128 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


ments  in  Massachusetts  were  often  threatened,  and  some- 
times attacked,  though  no  general  engagement  took  place  in 
Massachusetts  during  that  period.  At  the  east,  the  memo- 
rable engagement  at  what  was  afterwards  Fiyeburg,  known 
as  Love  well  Fight,  took  place  in  May,  1725.  In  1724,  three 
persons  were  killed  by  the  Indians  in  Rutland.  Worcester 
was  threatened ; and,  whenever  its  inhabitants  had  occasion 
to  go  into  the  meadows  to  gather  hay,  they  went  guarded  by 
armed  scouts  or  soldiers. 

From  Mr.  Lincoln’s  model  “ History  of  the  Town  of  Worces- 
ter,” and  other  reliable  sources,  we  find  that  a detail  of  two 
men  was  made  from  the  company  of  scouts  under  Major  John 
Chandler,  belonging  to  Worcester,  for  the  protection  of  Leices- 
ter. These,  with  others  from  the  same  company,  of  which 
Thomas  Newhall  of  Leicester  was  a sergeant,  were  posted  at 
Leicester,  doubtless  at  one  of  the  garrisons  above  mentioned. 

In  1724,  in  consequence  of  the  more  threatening  aspect  of 
the  war,  twenty-nine  men  were  detailed  from  the  company 
of  Capt.  William  Chandler,  and  posted  at  Leicester  for  the 
protection  of  its  inhabitants."^ 

The  state  of  apprehension  in  which  its  inhabitants  then 
lived  may  be  learned  from  a letter  which  is  preserved  in  the 
Secretary’s  office  in  Boston.  It  was  signed,  as  will  be  per- 
ceived, by  most  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  town ; and 
was  in  these  words  : — 

“Leicester,  April  30,  1725. 

“ To  his  Honor  the  Lieut -Governor. 

“ With  all  dutiful  respect,  these  are  to  acquaint  your  honor,  that, 
just  now,  there  came  news  to  us  of  two  companies  of  Indians  dis- 


* This  was  probaby  on  account,  among  other  things,  of  the  letter  of  Thomas 
Newhall,  of  Aug.  3,  1724;  a part  of  which  has  already  been  given.  In  that  he  goes 
on  to  say,  “ B}’  order  of  Col.  Chandler,  I understand  I had  command  of  the  soldiers 
(the  nineteen  before  mentioned).  If  otherwise,  I pray  j'our  honor  to  signify  it.  We 
have  not  as  yet  made  any  remarkable  discovery.  Only,  last  Friday,  one  of  our 
inhabitants,  a very  credible  man,  reaping  near  here,  informs  us  that  an  Indian  had  got 
within  seven  rods  of  him,  and,  looking  up,  he  had  a certain  discovery  of  him;  and, 
stepping  a few  rods  for  his  gun,  he  saw  him  no  more,  but  hastened  home.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


129 


covered  between  us  and  the  Wachusetts ; which  is  very  surprising,  con- 
sidering our  inability  for  our  own  safeguard.  As  to  the  truth  of  the 
report,  with  the  circumstances,  we  are  altogether  at  a loss ; but  we 
hear  there  is  a post  gone  down  to  your  honor  about  it.  Your  honor 
having  always  been  ready  to  keep  us,  and  we  having  had  some  encou- 
ragement upon  our  late  petition,  we  are  encouraged  to  beseech  your 
honor,  if  it  may  be,  that  we  have  some  speedy  assistance  of  soldiers  to 
defend  us. 

“ Our  number  of  inhabitants  is  very  small,  and  several  were  mucli 
discouraged.  It  was  so  late  the  last  summer  before  we  had  soldiers, 
that  we  were  exceedingly  behind  with  our  business. 

“ So,  wishing  your  honor  all  happiness,  and  confiding  in  your  honor, 
and  rather  from  our  experience,  we  are  your  honor’s  in  all  grati- 
tude and  obedience. 


The  same  year,  the  town  presented  a petition  to  the 
General  Court  to  be  relieved  from  the  Province-tax,  by 
reason  of  having  been  so  much  exposed  and  reduced  to  very 
low  circumstances  by  the  late  Indian  war ; and  their  petition 
was  accordingly  granted. 

Their  condition  in  the  year  1724  was  thus  referred  to  in 
a letter  addressed  by  Gershom  Rice,  of  Worcester,  to  Col. 
Chandler:  ‘‘We  are  informed  that  it  is  objected  against  our 
having  assistance,  that  Brookfield,  Rutland,  and  Leicester 
defend  us.  As  to  Leicester,  the  people  there  more  need  help 
from  us  than  they  are  able  to  render  us  any ; as  likewise  do 
Shrewsbury  and  Hassanamisco.’^ 

Of  the  particular  sufferings  to  which  the  people  of  Leices- 
ter were  subjected  during  this  war,  no  record  is  preserved. 
Amidst  the  general  state  of  alarm  which  pervaded  the  scat- 
tered population  of  the  interior,  perhaps  nothing  occurred 
that  was  worthy  of  being  recorded.  The  spread  of  civiliza- 
tion operated  like  an  act  of  extermination  upon  the  once 

17 


“ Thomas  Newhall. 


William  Brown. 
John  Smith. 

James  Southgate. 
Nathl.  Richardson.” 


Richard  Southgate. 
Benja.  Johnson. 
Ralph  Earle. 

John  Lynde. 


130 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


hostile  tribes ; so  that  the  early  settlers  were,  in  a few 
years,  beyond  the  immediate  danger  of  attack. 

The  annoyance  from  noxious  animals  and  venomous  rep- 
tiles continued  to  a later  period.  Their  records  show,  as  late 
as  1740,  the  employment  of  pitfalls  and  other  means  for 
destroying  wolves,  and  the  payment  of  bounties  for  the  kill- 
ing of  rattlesnakes. 

The  town  has  had  its  share,  too,  of  the  ordinary  and  ex- 
traordinary casualties  to  life  and  property.  A few  only  of 
these  have  been  preserved,  and  fewer  still  can  now  have 
any  particular  interest  in  their  detail. 

In  1738,  Mr.  John  Henshaw  lost  his  dwelling-house  by 
fire ; * and  a second  house,  in  the  same  manner,  the  following 
winter. 

The  public-house  of  Edward  Bond,  situate  w^here  the  house 
of  Capt.  Hiram  Knight  now  stands,  was  burned,  with  all  its 
contents  of  provisions  and  furniture,  on  Sunday,  the  18th 
January,  1767. 

In  1779,  May  13,  a valuable  house  of  Phineas  Newhall, 
together  with  most  of  his  furniture,  and  a quantity  of  grain 
and  liquors,  were  burned. f 

About  1811,  the  house  of  Stephen  Sadler,  once  the  house 
of  Jonathan  Newhall,  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  was 
burned  on  Sunday. 

In  1822,  the  house  of  Capt.  Amasa  Whittemore,  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  was  burned.  In  1824,  the  house  of 
Calvin  Hersey,  in  the  west  part,  was  burned. 

In  1825,  the  tan-house  of  Jonathan  Warren,  with  its  con- 
tents, was  burned. 


♦ The  house  stood  where,  or  near  where,  Mr.  Edwin  Waite’s  stands.  It  was  set 
on  fire  by  a female  slave  in  his  family,  who  had  come  with  them  from  Boston,  and, 
being  homesick,  adopted  this  as  a means  of  compelling  her  master  to  return  to  that 
place. 

t This  house  stood  upon  the  North  County  Road,  where  Col.  Newhall  kept  a 
tavern,  and  where  Mr.  Eddy  now  lives. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


131 


In  1829,  the  barn  of  Edwin  Waite  was  struck  by  lightning, 
and  consumed. 

In  1833,  the  dwelling-house  of  the  late  Col.  Henry  Sargent, 
with  its  barn  and  wood-shed,  and  the  barn,  shed,  and  wood- 
house  of  Capt.  Isaac  Southgate,  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

In  1835,  the  dwelling-house  of  Josiah  Kingsbury,  in  the 
south-west  part  of  the  town,  was  burned. 

In  1841,  the  house  of  Asa  M^Callum,  in  the  south-west  part 
of  the  town,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  on  Sunday,  June  20. 

Feb.  9,  1846.  In  Clapp ville,  the  woollen  factory  of  Messrs. 
Barnes  and  Denny,  with  its  machinery,  was  destroyed  by 
fire. 

Feb.  11,  1848.  The  woollen  factory  of  Mr.  Samuel  Watson, 
in  Cherry  Valley,  was  consumed,  with  its  contents. 

March  24,  1848.  The  woollen  factory  of  Mr.  Loyal  G. 
Dickenson,  on  the  same  stream,  and  just  above  Mr.  Watson’s, 
was  destroyed  by  fire. 

Oct.  19,  1848.  Mr.  Henry  E.  Warren’s  tan-house  was 
burned,  — situate  half  a mile  north  of  the  Great  Koad,  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town.  - 

April  17,  1850.  The  large  brick  woollen  factory  of  Reuben 
S.  Denny,  Esq.,  in  Clappville,  was  burned,  with  its  contents : 
the  loss  estimated  at  $65,000,  mostly  insured. 

Nov.  3,  1853.  The  barn  attached  to  the  hotel  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Hatch,  opposite  the  Meeting-house,  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  the  night,  together  with  eight  horses  and  a large  quan- 
tity of  hay. 

Feb.  12,  1854.  Another  factory  belonging  to  R.  S.  Denny, 
Esq.,  in  Clappville,  was  consumed,  with  most  of  its  contents : 
valued  at  $20,000,  principally  insured. 

April  26,  same  year.  Mrs.  Newhall’s  barn,  about  half  a 
mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house,  was  struck  by  lightning, 
and  consumed,  with  three  cows. 

June  17,  same  year.  The  barn  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Holmes,  in  the 
village,  was  burned  in  the  night-time. 


132 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


July  1,  same  year.  A part  of  the  store  of  Mr.  Danforth 
Rice  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

Feb.  21,  1855.  The  barn  of  Michael  Kane,  about  a mile 
north  of  the  Meeting-house,  was  burned. 

Feb.  3,  1856.  The  Methodist  Meeting-house  in  Cherry 
Yalley  was  destroyed  on  Sunday,  about  noon;  the  day  being 
intensely  cold. 

On  the  11th  of  April,  1856,  a barn  upon  the  Bridges  Farm, 
in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  and  on  the  7th  of  February, 
1827,  a barn  of  Mr.  Kibbe,  were  burned,  the  latter  with  seven 
head  of  cattle. 

In  1756,  as  stated  in  the  ^‘Boston  Evening  Post/^  Joshua 
Smith  and  son  were  killed  in  Leicester  by  the  falling  of  a 
tree,  which  was  blown  down  by  the  wind. 

In  1759,  there  occurred  a remarkable  hurricane,  which 
passed  over  the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  Its  direction 
was  from  the  south-west  to  the  north-east.  In  its  course,  it 
struck  the  house  of  Mr.  Samuel  Lynde,  which  stood  where 
the  house  of  Mr.  Robert  Watson  now  stands,  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  Great  Post  Road.  Ten  or  twelve  persons  were 
in  the  house  at  the  time.  The  force  of  the  wind  was  such, 
that  the  house  was  removed  to  a considerable  distance,  and 
torn  into  atoms.  A barn  and  corn-barn,  standing  near  the 
house,  were  entirely  demolished ; and  a horse  in  the  barn  was 
killed.  The  trees  and  fences  in  the  track  of  the  hurricane 
were  prostrated ; and  nails  that  had  been  in  the  house  were 
found  driven  into  trees  by  force  of  the  wind,  so  firmly  that 
they  could  not  be  withdrawn  by  hand. 

After  passing  some  distance  from  the  house,  the  wind  took 
a course  upward  from  the  earth,  so  that  the  extent  of  its 
ravages  was  small.  But  of  its  force,  where  it  was  felt,  some 
judgment  can  be  formed  from  the  fact,  that  a negro  man, 
standing  at  the  door,  was  taken  up,  carried  near  ten  rods, 
and  thrown  with  such  violence  upon  the  ground  as  to  break 
both  his  legs  and  several  of  his  ribs,  causing  his  death. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


133 


A little  girl,  also  standing  at  the  door,  was  carried  through 
the  air  forty  rods,  and  had  an  arm  broken.  Four  women, 
who  had  been  in  the  house,  were  found  in  the  cellar,  greatly 
bruised,  but  unconscious  how  they  came  there.  A little  boy 
was  found  completely  covered  by  the  rubbish  of  the  build- 
ings, and  rescued.  A watch,  hanging  in  the  house,  was  found 
at  a distance  of  more  than  a mile  from  the  place  where  it 
had  stood;  and  articles,  that  were  in  it  when  struck  by  the 
wind,  were  afterwards  found  in  Holden,  more  than  ten  miles 
distant. 

I have  copied  the  foregoing  facts  from  a contemporary 
statement  published  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day ; and  bor- 
row from  the  article  its  closing  paragraph,  to  show  the  danger 
of  even  attempting  to  describe  so  fearful  a tempest : A pile 

of  boards,  ’tis  said  seven  thousand  feet,  being  near  the  house, 
was  shivered  to  splinters,  and  carried  to  a great  distance,  so 
that  there  were  not  pieces  large  enough  left  to  make  a coffin 
to  bury  the  negro  in ! ” Where  the  materials  of  the  unfor- 
tunate negroes  coffin  were  obtained,  history  does  not  tell ; 
though,  as  the  track  of  tlie  hurricane  was  both  short  and  nar- 
row, it  is  to  be  presumed  there  were  enough  left  elsewhere 
in  the  town  to  serve  the  purpose. 

An  incident  connected  with  two  of  the  inhabitants  has  an 
interest  beyond  its  being  connected  with  the  history  of  the 
town. 

Francis  and  Isaac  Choate  were,  in  November,  1790,  taken 
prisoners  by  the  Indians,  at  a block-house  upon  the  Muskin- 
gum River  in  Ohio,  about  forty  miles  above  Marietta.  Isaac 
was  carried  to  Detroit,  and  there  sold : while  Francis  was 
given  away  to  a Mingo  chief.  They  were  redeemed,  and 
returned  home  in  May  following.  There  might  be  little 
worthy  of  remark  in  the  mere  fact  that  a citizen  was  taken 
prisoner  in  a war  with  the  Indians ; but  there  is  something 
calculated  to  awaken  a train  of  interestijag  reflections  in  the 
circumstance,  that  it  should  have  happened  within  the  memory 


134 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


of  living  witnesses,  in  the  very  heart  of  a State,  then  a wil- 
derness, which  now  counts  its  population  by  millions.  It 
serves  to  mark  the  extent  and  rapidity  of  the  progress  of  a 
country,  where  the  ordinary  work  of  ages  is  accomplished  in 
a single  generation. 

One  incident,  the  authenticity  of  which  is  beyond  doubt, 
occurred  in  1804,  and  had  an  interest  beyond  the  neighbor- 
hood where  it  happened,  from  its  partaking  of  the  character 
of  one  of  those  mysteries  which  often  puzzle  the  philosophy 
of  the  wisest. 

John  Southgate  (a  wealthy  and  respectable  gentleman  of  the 
town,  often  employed  in  the  transaction  of  business  which 
required  intelligence  and  experience,  and  who  is  noticed  in 
another  connection)  had  a son  of  the  same  name,  then  some 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  The  father  was  an  extensive  land- 
owner  at  Stillwater,  between  Bangor  and  Orino,  in  Maine. 
The  son,  though  unmarried,  was  residing  there  for  the  pur- 
pose of  'taking  charge  of  the  property.  His  health  was 
generally  good,  the  employment  was  a pleasant  one,  and  his 
temperament  not  otherwise  than  hopeful  and  cheerful,  though 
his  habits  were  at  times  somewhat  unsteady.  In  June  of  that 
year,  his  father  received  a letter  from  him  requesting  him 
to  come  and  bring  him  home,  as  he  had  but  a short  time  to 
live. 

His  father,  supposing  he  was  sick,  hastened  to  him  ; but,  on 
arriving,  found  him  apparently  in  usual  health.  The  son 
seemed  to  be  greatly  relieved  that  he  had  come ; re-iterated 
his  wish  to  return  home,  and  to  hasten  his  departure,  because 
on  such  a day  (naming  it)  he  was  to  die,  and  was  desirous  of 
some  time  in  which  to  make  previous  arrangements. 

The  father,  willing  to  humor  what  he  regarded  as  a 
strange  fancy,  but  without  the  slightest  apprehension  that  it 
had  any  foundation,  left  Stillwater  after  a short  delay,  taking 
his  son  with  him.  He  stopped  in  Boston:  but  the  son  seemed 
very  anxious  to  hasten  his  journey;  and,  as  soon  as  he  had 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


135 


transacted  some  business,  he  started,  and  reached  home  the 
next  day. 

Here  the  son  appeared  to  be  in  good  health  ; was  cheerful, 
communicative,  and  calm  in  his  manner  and  conversation, 
though  often  reminding  them  that  such  a day  was  to  be  his 
last.  In  the  mean  time,  he  was  busy  making  arrangements, 
as  if  sure  that  the  term  of  his  life  was  measured  and  extremely 
brief. 

The  time  fixed  for  the  event  of  his  death  was  the  night  of 
a certain  day  which  he  named.  During  that  day,  he  visited 
and  bade  adieu  to  several  families  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
repaired  to  various  familiar  and  favorite  spots  upon  his  father’s 
farm,  which  he  seemed  to  be  looking  upon  for  the  last  time. 
In  the  evening  he  sat  with  the  family,  and  conversed  freely 
and  cheerfully  with  them  upon  different  topics.  At  the  usual 
hour,  the  family  made  the  customary  preparations  for  retiring ; 
but  he  urgently  requested  them  not  to  do  so,  as  he  had  but  a 
few  more  hours  to  spend  with  them. 

They,  however,  regarded  this  as  a mere  idle  fancy;  and 
were  confident  in  the  belief,  that,  if  he  were  to  fall  asleep,  he 
would  awake  in  the  morning,  relieved  by  finding  that  he  had 
outlived  the  period  suggested  in  his  brain.  They  accordingly 
urged  his  retiring ; which  he  did,  occupying  a bed  with  his 
younger  brother.  The  other  members  of  the  family  also 
retired ; but  the  earnestness  of  his  conviction  left  so  strong 
an  impression  upon  their  minds,  that  they  could  not  readily 
sleep. 

John  wished  his  brother  not  to  fall  asleep : but,  acting  upon 
the  prevailing  idea  of  the  family,  he  affected  to  do  so,  and 
actually  fell  into  a slumber;  and,^  as  he  thought,  John  did 
the  same.  In  a short  time,  however,  he  was  startled  and 
aroused  by  the  peculiar  breathing  of  his  brother.  He  imme- 
diately called  the  family,  who  tried  in  vain  to  arouse  him 
from  what  they  supposed  was  sleep.  It  was  the  convulsive 
breathing  of  a dying  man ; and  at  the  age  of  twenty-six. 


136 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


on  the  12th  July,  1804,  at  the  very  hour  which  he  had  more 
than  two  weeks  before  told  his  father  was  to  be  his  last,  he 
died. 

No  cause  for  this  impression  or  for  his  death  could  be 
traced.  His  health  gave  no  signs  of  being  seriously  impaired. 
Nothing  indicated  that  death  was  occasioned  by  any  thing  he 
had  taken.  It  was  a mystery  which  was  never  solved ; and 
now  that  every  witness  of  the  scene,  who  could  have  been 
old  enough  to  know  its  character,  is  gone,  it  would  be  worse 
than  idle  to  speculate  upon  theories  to  explain  it. 

I have  had  occasion  to  speak  of  the  destruction  of  the 
house  of  Edward  Bond,  by  fire,  in  1767.  A description  of 
this  house,  and  its  style  of  finish,  may  serve  as  a sample  of 
the  houses  of  the  early  settlers ; though  it  had  been  always 
kept  as  a public-house,  and  was  undoubtedly  erected  for  one, 
and,  consequently,  somewhat  more  elaborate  in  its  character 
than  the  private  dwellings  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  house  was  small,  I apprehend,  from  the  description,  — 
only  a single  story  in  height.  There  was  not  a handle  upon 
a single  door  in  the  house,  inside  or  out.  The  latch  was  of 
wood,  to  which  a string  was  attached  ; and,  passing  through 
a hole  in  the  door,  was  taken  hold  of  and  pulled  by  any  one 
on  the  outside  who  wished  to  raise  it  in  order  to  enter.  This 
contrivance,  then  universally  in  use,  served  as  a very  simple 
and  handy  lock ; for,  by  drawing  in  the  latch-string,  no  out- 
sider could  gain  admittance  except  by  the  aid  of  some  one 
inside  of  the  house. 

In  this  connection,  I shall  venture  to  give,  from  the  nar- 
rative of  one  who  was  familiar  with  the  condition  of  the  town 
at  the  time  of  this  house  being  destroyed,  a description  of 
what  formed  the  only  village  then  existing  in  the  town. 

Beginning  at  the  west,  near  the  Town-meadow  Brook,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  road,  stood  a one-story  house,  which  has 
been  standing  within  the  recollection  of  some  persons  now 
living,  and  was  then  occupied  by  Judge  Steele.  Next  east  of 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


137 


that,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  was  the  house  of  Seth 
Washburn,  where  Mr.  Joseph  Denny  more  recently  lived, 
about  half-way  from  Judge  Steele’s  to  the  Bond  Tavern.  It 
was  one  story  in  height,  and  consisted  of  three  rooms,  — a 
front  room,  bed-room,  and  kitchen.  Opposite  this,  the  woods 
came  up  to  the  road,  without  any  fence  along  its  side ; and  the 
children  of  the  family  made  their  play-ground  among  the  trees 
that  stood  there.  The  next  house  east  of  that  was  the  Bond 
Tavern.  Then  came  the  Meeting-house,  such  as  has  been 
elsewhere  described  in  this  work.  Opposite  the  Meeting- 
house stood  an  old  house,  with  one  room  and  a shoemaker’s 
shop  attached  to  it,  in  which  Deacon  Fletcher  lived,  and  car- 
ried on  his  trade  of  making  and  repairing  shoes.  It  was  after- 
wards sold  to  Nathan  Waite,  who  erected  a tavern  upon  the 
spot,  which  forms  a part  of  the  present  Tavern  House. 

A few  rods  east  of  the  Meeting-house,  at  the  corner  of  the 
Training-field,  or  Common,  stood  the  old  schoolhouse  which  I 
have  before  described,  and  which  was  then  little  better  than 

an  old  shell.”  Some  twenty  or  thirty  rods  to  the  north-east 
of  the  schoolhouse  stood" an  old  house  formerly  belonging  to 
Mr.  Parsons,  which  was  approached  by  a “ lane  ” leading  from 
the  Training- field.  Ten  years  later,  it  was  spoken  of  as 
^^the  remains  of  a house.”  In  rear  of  the  Meeting-house 
was  the  Burying-ground,  belonging  to  the  town ; which  was 
surrounded  by  a brush  fence,  beginning  at  the  north-west 
corner  of  the  Meeting-house,  and  running  around,  enclosing  it 
from  Mr.  Parsons’s  land  on  the  north,  and  the  Training-field 
on  the  east  and  south. 

The  only  house  between  the  Meeting-house  and  the 
Meeting-house  Hill  was  one  at  its  top,  built  by  Mr.  Steb- 
bins,  and  afterwards  owned  by  Mr.  Conklin.  Part-way  down 
the  hill,  where  a cellar-hole  now  remains,  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  road,  stood  a house  owned  by  Peter  Silvester. 
Next  east,  upon  the  same  side  of  the  road,  stood  a house 
at  the  corner  of  Flip  Road,  as  the  records  early  called  the 

18 


138 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


road  that  once  led  from  the  Great  Road  to  Carey  Hill.  Nearly 
opposite  the  last-mentioned  house  was  a one-storied  gambrel- 
roofed  ’’  house,  which  stood  upon  a high  bank  on  the  south 
side  of  the  road,  where  Benjamin  Vickery  afterwards  lived 
from  1777  till  after  1800. 

These  half-dozen  houses  constituted  the  entire  village,  so 
far  as  it  was  built  upon  or  near  the  Great  Road.  The  present 
house,  upon  the  east  side  of  the  Rutland  Road,  half  a mile 
from  the  Meeting-house,  was  then  standing;  and  a small  house 
upon  the  South  Road,  about  half  a mile  from  the  Great 
Road,  in  which  Mr.  Goddard  had  lived.  Not  one  of  these,  it 
is  believed,  had  any  paint  upon  them,  inside  or  out ; and  they 
were  all  of  humble  dimensions,  without  any  pretensions  to 
architectural  ornament  or  proportion.  Probably  that  upon 
the  North  Road,  with  a front-room,  kitchen,  and  bed-room, 
was  quite  as  imposing  in  style  and  magnitude  as  any  of 
these. 

There  were  one  or  two  appendages  to  the  Common,  near 
the  Meeting-house,  which  are  not  familiar  in  our  day.  One 
of  these  was  an  immense  horse-block,  or  stone,  at  each  end 
of  the  Meeting-house,  upon  which  the  women  mounted  in 
order  to  seat  themselves  on  their  side-saddles,  or  more  com- 
monly on  pillions  behind  their  husbands  or  some  male  mem- 
ber of  the  family,  before  the  days  of  carriages.  This  appen- 
dage had  not  entirely  disappeared,  though  it  had  been  mostly 
disused,  within  the  last  forty  or  fifty  years.  But  the  other 
appendage,  it  is  believed,  had  yielded  to  the  progress  of  civi- 
lization before  the  commencement  of  the  present  century ; 
and  that  was  the  public  stocks.’^  They  were  in  use  for  the 
punishment  of  petty  offences  ; while  those  guilty  of  more  seri- 
ous ones  were  subjected  to  whipping  or  the  pillory,  or  brand- 
ing or  cropping.  They  were  borrowed  from  England,  and 
have  been  too  often  described  by  writers,  from  Hudibras  to 
M^Fingal,  to  need  any  further  account  of  their  form  or  con- 
struction. The  last  of  those  in  Leicester  were  erected  in 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


139 


1763,  by  Benjamin  Tucker,  at  the  cost  of  thirteen  shillings; 
and  stood  near  the  Meeting-house. 

It  may  not,  perhaps,  be  deemed  a matter  too  minute  for  a 
purely  local  history  like  this,  to  note,  so  far  as  1 am  able  to 
ascertain,  by  whom  and  when  some  of  the  other  houses  now 
standing  were  erected.  Beginning  on  Mount  Pleasant,  the 
house  upon  the  south  side  of  the  road  was  built  by  Col. 
Joseph  Henshaw,  in  1772,  from  lumber  brought  from  Boston. 
That  on  the  north  side  was  erected  by  Mr.  John  Stickney  in 
1789  ; that  at  the  corner  of  the  Silvester  Road,  by  David 
and  Jonathan  Trask,  about  1811.  Their  blacksmith-shop 
stood  where  the  brick  factory  was  built  by  Messrs.  James 
and  John  A.  Smith  and  Co.  in  1827.  The  house  opposite  this 
was  built  by  Mr.  John  Hobbs,  about  1818,  upon  the  site  of  an 
ancient  house  formerly  occupied  by  Judge  Steele.  The 
gambrel-roofed  house,  which  Deacon  Murdock  altered  and 
enlarged  and  occupied,  was  built  by  Col.  Seth  Washburn, 
and  finished  in  1784.  It  was  first  occupied  by  his  son-in-law, 
Samuel  Sargent.  The  large  house  nearly  opposite  this  was 
erected  by  Col.  Joseph  D:  Sargent.  The  house  now  occupied 
by  Mr.  John  Loring  was  enlarged,  and  made  into  a two-story 
structure,  by  Col.  Washburn,  in  1782;  and  was  further  en- 
larged by  Mr.  Joseph  'Denny.  Col.  Washburn’s  blacksmith’s 
shop  was  a little  west  of  this  house.  The  house  opposite  Avas 
built  by  Col.  John  Worcester  about  1804.  The  building  oc- 
cupied by  the  Leicester  Boot  Company  Avas  built  by  Joseph 
Denny,  for  a dAvelling-house  and  card-factory,  in  1812;  and 
occupied  by  Harry  Ward.  The  house  formerly  of  MattheAv 
Jackson  Avas  built  by  him  about  1790:  his  shoemaker’s  sliop 
stood  a little  east  of  it.  The  house  of  J.  A.  Denny,  Esq.,  Avas 
erected  by  him  in  1838.  A part  of  the  factory  of  Denny  and 
Bisco  AATis  erected  by  Earle  and  Walter,  hatters,  as  a dAA^elling- 
house  and  shop,  al)out  1812.  The  house  next  east  of  tliat 
was  erected  by  John  Wilder,  about  the  same  time,  for  a sad- 
dler’s shop ; and  the  double  dAvelling-liouse  next  to  that  Avas 


140 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


erected  by  him,  for  himself  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Washburn,  in  1814. 
The  house  opposite  this,  occupied  by  Mr.  Warren,  was  erected 
by  N.  P.  Denny,  Esq.,  about  1808.  That  of  J.  A.  Smith,  Esq., 
was  erected  by  Reuben  Swan  about  1801 ; that  opposite  to 
it,  occupied  by  Mr.  Knowles,  was  built  by  Joseph  Washburn 
about  1789.  Capt.  Isaac  Southgate  built  his  house  in  1826, 
and  Capt.  Knight  his  in  1843.  Mr.  John  Whittemore  built 
his  dwelling-house,  about  1820,  upon  the  site  of  a small  house, 
one  story  in  height,  once  owned  by  Martin  Rice,  whose  black- 
smith’s shop  stood  near  where  Capt.  Southgate’s  house  stands. 
The  house  east  of  Mr.  Whittemore’s  was  built  by  Capt.  Darius 
Cutting  in  1789.  The  two  brick  dwelling-houses  opposite 
the  Academy  were  built  by  Daniel  McFarland,  — one  for  his 
store,  about  1809  or  ’10;  and  the  other  for  his  own  dwelling- 
house,  in  1813.  Nearly  opposite  these  stood  a long,  low,  one- 
story  building,  before  mentioned,  which  Mr.  McFarland  had 
used  for  a store,  which  was  removed  when  he  erected  his 
new  store.  Next  to  this  was  a one-story  house,  in  which  Mr. 
Joseph  Sargent  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1784,  but 
liad  disappeared  before  the  store  was  removed.  East  of  this, 
Dr.  Austin  Flint  erected  his  house  in  1784:  it  was  removed 
by  Mr.  Joshua  Clapp  to  give  place  to  the  much  more  impos- 
ing structure  which  he  erected  in  1832-3.  The  two  houses 
opposite  this  were  erected  by  Roswell  Sprague  — one  for  a 
card  factory  and  store,  the  other  for  a dwelling-house — about 
the  same  time  that  the  house  of  Mr.  McFarland  was  erected. 
Dr.  Edward  Flint  erected  the  house  in  which  he  lives  about 
1820.  That  in  which  Mr.  John  Woodcock  lives  was  built  by 
Waldo  Flint,  Esq.,  in  1830 ; and  that  next  to  it  was  erected 
by  Alpheus  Smith,  for  a card  factory,  about  1813.  Dr.  Nel- 
son built  his  cottage  in  1828. 

From  fear,  however,  of  being  wearisome,  I will  only  add,  that 
a man  now  of  the  age  of  sixty  years  might  readily  recall  the 
village  when  the  whole  number  of  its  dwelling-houses  would 
not  have  exceeded  twenty ; when  there  was  no  house  upon 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


141 


the  south  side  of  the  road  east  of  Col.  Denny’s ; when  there 
was  none  between  Col.  Worcester’s  and  Mr.  Moore’s;  when 
the  only  buildings  between  Capt.  Cutting’s  and  the  Charlton 
Road  were  the  small  house  1 have  spoken  of,  where  Mr. 
Whittemore’s  house  stands  ; the  blacksmith-shop  above  men- 
tioned ; another  little  shop  west  of  it,  with  a single  room,  in 
Avhich  Mr.  Denny  at  one  time  kept  his  law-office ; and  a small, 
low  building,  at  the  corner  of  the  Charlton  Road,  in  which 
Widow  Dunbar  carried  on  her  trade  as  a tailoress.  At  that 
time,  1 apprehend  there  was  not  a single  house  upon  the 
south,  or  Charlton  Road  between  the  Great  Road  and  Mr. 
Richard  Bond’s. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  local  history  of  the  town  would  be  incomplete  if  I 
failed  to  notice  some  of  those  personal  institutions,  which,  in 
the  progress  of  the  age,  have  become  obsolete,  though  once 
forming  an  important  element  in  its  social  structure. 

I have  spoken  of  the  substitution  of  machinery  for  the 
simpler  implements  of  domestic  manufacture,  — the  spinning- 
wheel  and  the  loom.  With  these  has  disappeared  a class 
of  labor  to  which  the  families  of  the  town  resorted,  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent,  to  aid  the  housewife  in  working  up  the 
wool,  flax,  and  tow,  which  had  been  raised  upon  the  farm, 
into  bed  and  other  linen  and  clothing  for  the  family. 

There  were  in  most  of  the  country  towns  more  or  less  of 
these  useful  personages,  who  went  from  one  family  to  another 
to  do  up  ” their  spinning.  The  implement  chiefly  in  use 
was  the  large  spinning-wheel,  Avhose  hum,  now  no  longer 
heard,  was  familiar  to  the  ear  of  every  household  of  that 
day.  The  last  of  this  class  in  Leicester  was  Sally  Bradish ; 
and  as  a representative  of  a race,  which,  like  the  Dodo  among 
the  birds,  has  disappeared,  never  to  be  revived,  she  deserves 
to  be  preserved  as  an  historical  personage. 

The  records  of  the  town  furnish  no  clue  to  her  age ; but 


142 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


she  was  obviously  on  the  shady  side  of  forty.  She  had  breadth 
enough  to  have  been  a Juno;  but  from  having  worn  off  her 
nether  extremities  by  following  her  thread  back  and  forth  so 
many  years,  or  from  some  other  cause,  her  height  would  not 
justify  the  comparison.  What  her  beauty  might  once  have 
been,  this  history  does  not  go  back  far  enough  to  determine. 
When  he,  who  is  now  to  be  her  chronicler,  first  saw  her  round, 
good-natured  face,  furrowed  here  and  there  by  a deep  wrinkle, 
it  had  been  so  often  twisted  into  shapes  to  fit  the  expression 
of  countenance  suited  to  the  actors  in  the  stories  she  was 
accustomed  to  tell,  that  it  was  difficult  to  infer  what  had  been 
its  original  configuration.  Her  annual  revolution  to  that  point 
in  her  orbit  — where,  like  a comet,  she  was  visible  for  a few 
weeks  at  a time  — was  an  event  of  no  inconsiderable  moment. 
To  see  her  in  her  glory,  however,  one  must  have  followed 
the  hum  of  her  wheel  into  some  back  chamber  heated  to  a 
summer  glow,  or  the  more  spacious  precincts  of  the  kitchen, 
where  she  plied  her  task,  and  sat  and  listened  in  the  gloam- 
ing of  the  evening,  lighted  only  by  a bright  fire  on  the 
hearth,  to  the  songs  she  used  to  sing  as  she  paced  backwards 
and  forwards,  and  gave  her  wheel  a fresh  buzz  and  a louder 
hum  at  each  return ; or  gathered  around  the  hearth  of  glow- 
ing coals,  after  her  day’s  work  had  been  reeled  off,”  and  she 
was  at  liberty  to  luxuriate  in  some  of  the  exhaustless  supply 
of  stories  she  possessed,  of  witches,  ghosts,  robbers,  and 
Indians,  with  an  occasional  interlude  showing  the  fate  of 
some  faithless  swain,  or  the  crowning  recompense  of  con- 
stancy and  love. 

Sally  was  an  undoubting  believer  in  witches  and  ghosts, 
omens  and  warnings ; and  was  possessed  of  a perfect  ency- 
clopaedia of  facts,  known  to  herself  to  be  true,  which  she 
detailed  with  great  circumstantiality,  when  her  clue  run  in 
that  direction.  And  so  deep  and  vivid  were  the  impressions 
made  on  her  groups  of  listeners,  that  I have  no  doubt,  though 
nearly  threescore  years  have  passed  by,  were  a ghost  to  show 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


143 


itself  to  any  one  of  that  number,  it  would  be  recognized  at 
once  as  an  old  and  familiar  acquaintance. 

Sometimes  her  fancy  took  a facetious  turn ; and  then  the 
manner  in  which  she  put  her  face  into  forms  to  suit  the  action 
of  her  story,  seen  in  the  dimly  reflected  light  of  the  fading 
Are,  was  as  irresistible  for  mirth  as  her  ghosts  were  for 
terror. 

She  was,  I believe,  the  only  Methodist  in  the  town  till  I 
was  full  grown;  and  the  tunes  with  which  she  regaled  the 
listeners  as  well  as  herself,  in  her  devotional  frames  of  mind, 
uttered  with  a peculiar  emphasis  and  tone,  with  which  she 
poured  out  verse  after  verse  of  her  favorite  hymns  of  inter- 
minable length,  have  not  yet  lost  their  echo  on  the  ear. 

But  this  was  not  the  only  field  for  her  genius.  The  tea- 
table,  when  the  older  members  of  the  family  were  gathered 
around  it,  furnished  new  topics  of  equal  interest  and  impor- 
tance. She  was  a perfect  budget  of  the  gossip  and  news  of 
the  town.  She  was  an  entire  believer  in  the  power  of  fore- 
telling events ; and  could  read,  in  the  tea-grounds  in  her 
neighbor’s  cup,  the  futui:©,  especially  so  far  as  it  related  to 
funerals,  weddings,  and  riding  in  coaches.  In  this  round  of 
duties,  toils,  and  pleasures,  Sally  was  entirely  content,  nor 
ever  dreamed  that  anybody  was  plotting  to  impair  her  use- 
fulness or  importance.  But  the  power-loom  and  the  spinning- 
jenny  came,  and  they  found  Sally  in  the  wane  of  life.  It 
required  no  ghost  or  omen  to  foretell  the  fate  of  the  old- 
fashioned  spinning-wheel,  and,  with  it,  the  old-fashioned  spin- 
sters who  had  gladdened  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  many  a 
neighborhood,  while  they  supplied  the  yarns  that  were  to  be 
wrought  into  stockings  and  jackets  for  their  outside  comfort. 

Here  and  there  may  be  found  in  some  old  garret  a spinning- 
wheel,  which  creaks,  instead  of  hums,  when  it  is  turned ; but 
no  page  records,  no  stone  marks  the  spot,  where  the  last 
spinner  of  Leicester  was  laid,  by  the  hand  of  charity,  in  her 
final  resting-place. 


144 


HISTORY  OF  IXICE5TER. 


The  reTolntion  of  pabHc  sentiment  upon  the  subject  of 
pijpukj-  education  has  cc>nverted  another  of  the  former  social 
institutions  of  towns  into  a matter  of  history:  and  that  is 
the  natural  **  school-mams.”  — they  who^  without  ever  having 
heard  of  a normal  school  or  of  the  machinery  now  in  use  for 
fitting  men  and  women  to  teach  the  uneducated,  contrived  by 
their  cwn  mother-wit.  and  an  intuitive  pc>wer  of  guiding  and 
developing  young  min 4s.  to  attain  to  the  highest  art  of  the 
tea<?her.  Every  town  had  its  aunt  ” this  or  that,  who  had 
the  training  of  successive  generations,  and  ce*axe<l  and  urged 
the  lagging  powers  of  the  grandchild,  just  as  she  had  done  the 
once  curiy-hea«ied  urchin,  who.  as  a venerable  grandfather^ 
had  long  sin^?e  outgrown  being  her  contemporary. 

Leicester  had  her  **  Aunt  Hannah.  ” — she  was  everybody's 
aunt,  — who  e^ercisei  tc*c»  marked  an  influence,  in  shaping  the 
moral  and  intellectual  character  of  its  rising  generations,  to 
be  silently  passeii  over  in  a history  of  its  social  conditioo. 
fihe  could  have  c»3unted  her  pup»fls  by  thousands,  and  found 
them  in  almost  every  rank,  condition,  and  employment  in 
life.  Merchants,  physicians,  lawyers,  ministers^  and  women 
who  have  been  the  honored  wives  and  mothers  of  the  great 
and  useful  men  of  the  lan<l.  were,  at  one  time  or  another,  her 
p»upils  : and  would  have  borne  testimony  to  her  skill,  fidehty, 
and  success  in  the  life-business  of  primary  education. 

What  was  the  secret  of  her  p:*wer  and  success,  a stranger 
ec*uld  never  have  understood.  She  was  unconscious  of  it 
heiself.  But  she  had  a power  to  which  every  child  instinc- 
tively yielded  as  to  that  of  a superior  being.  It  was  not  the 
attraction  of  b*eauty  or  grace,  or  the  over-awing  of  her  pupils 
by  any  display  of  dignity  or  command. 

^ Aunt  Hannah  " was  by  no  means  a beauty.  She  was  tall, 
muscular,  and  awkwari  Her  voice,  though  not  harsh,  had 
but  little  music  in  its  tones  : and  her  exterior,  as  a whole,  indi- 
cated what  was  true,  — that  she  had  a good  supply  of  the  ele- 
ments of  masculine  strength  in  her  physical  as  well  as  intel- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


145 


lectual  composition.  But,  though  the  casket  was  a rough  one; 
it  contained  the  jewel  of  one  of  the  kindest  and  softest  hearts 
that  ever  looked  into  the  loving  face  of  a. child,  and  gave 
back  the  sympathy  of  a kindred  affection.  If  the  children  of 
her  school  looked  npon  her  with  something  like  awe  the  first 
half- day  of  their  attendance,  they  had  forgotten  the  next 
day  that  she  was  plain ; and,  before  a week  was  ont,  she  had 
grown  into  a standard  of  grace  and  beauty,  as  well  as  the 
embodiment  of  knowledge  and  wisdom.  The  whole  secret 
of  her  success  lay  in  this.  — her  heart  was  in  the  work:  and 
the  enthusiasm  of  her  own  nature  infused  itself  into  that 
of  the  children,  who  were  beguiled  into  learning  the  dullest 
lesson  by  the  pleasure  they  were  thereby  giving  to  one  whose 
approbation  was  the  highest  of  rewards.  Men  may  talk  about 
the  genius  of  the  poet  and  of  the  painter,  as  well  as  that 
of  the  orator  and  the  mechanician.  If  there  is  any  calling  or 
department  of  life  in  which  genius  manifests  itself  in  a pecu- 
liar and  unmistakable  form,  it  is  in  that  of  *•  keeping  school.** 

The  circumstances  of  the  schools  in  the  several  towns.  and« 
the  demand  for  competent  teachers,  formerly  served  to  de- 
velop this  genius  where  it  existed : and.  when  developed,  its 
fruits  were  seen  in  the  improved  condition  of  snccessive  gene- 
rations within  the  region  where  it  had  been  exerted.  Such 
were  the  character  and  qualifications  of  the  humble  individual 
of  whom  I am  speaking  : and  there  is  here  and  there  one  who 
still  lives  to  remember  what  he  owes  of  his  after-success  in 
life  to  the  impressions  he  received  from  her  influence  and 
early  teachings. 

It  is  the  life  of  such  an  individual  that  serves  to  show  the 
springs  of  action  which  give  motion  to  society,  while  they 
lie  hid  from  the  eye  of  casual  observers : and  while  we 
speak  of  the  patriotic  devotion  of  the  men  of  a former  gene- 
nation,  in  the  struggle  of  a nation  for  political  freedom,  it 
would  be  doing  injustice  to  our  subject,  had  we  forgotten  the 
devoted  labors  of  those  of  the  same  generation,  and  educated 

19 


146 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


in  the  same  school  of  hardship  and  difficulty,  who,  in  teach- 
ing little  children  their  duty  to  God  and  the  world,  were 
fitting  a generation  to  take  its  place  among  the  actors  on 
the  stage  of  life,  upon  whose  character  and  energy  the  main- 
tenance of  the  social  fabric  was  to  depend. 

The  changes  in  the  fashions  and  social  habits  of  a people 
are  so  constantly  going  on,  and  yet  are  so  gradual,  that  it  is 
only  by  contrasting  periods  somewhat  remote  from  each  other 
that  the  differences  are  perceptible  to  an  ordinary  observer ; 
and  whoever  undertakes  to  record  these  is  generally  at  a 
loss  when  he  goes  behind  the  memory  of  living  persons  for 
his  facts,  as  few  think  of  noting  down  what  is  passing  on, 
every  day,  around  them.  And  yet  no  history  of  one  of  these 
little  communities  could  be  complete  which  should  omit  these 
altogether. 

Every  age  has  about  the  same  tastes  and  passions  to  be 
supplied  and  gratified,  although  the  form  in  which  this  is 
done  varies  most  essentially  at  different  periods.  Our  fathers 
sought  their  amusements  at  home,  and  within  their  own 
neighborhoods,  far  more  than  is  done  in  our  day.  A visit  to 
the  city  was  an  event  of  a life  ; and,  as  for  watering-places  and 
pleasure-excursions  to  a distance,  they  had  not  found  a place 
in  their  vocabulary.  Lyceums  and  lectures  and  societies  of 
a hundred  sorts,  to  reform  everybody  and  every  thing,  and 
give  employment  and  pay  to  a set  of  agents  who  thrive  upon 
strife  and  excitement,  had  never  then  been  dreamed  of. 

Many  of  their  social  gatherings  partook  *of  the  useful  as 
well  as  the  pleasant.  They  joined  together  to  help  their 
neighbor  to  husk  his  corn,  or  raise  the  frame  of  his  build- 
ing; or  the  good  housewives  gave  up  an  afternoon,  every 
now  and  then,  to  the  quilting  of  a covering  for  a bed  for  a 
neighboring  housewife. 

They  made  these  and  similar  meetings  occasions  of  pleasure 
and  amusement  to  both  young  and  old,  and  not  unfrequently 
for  both  sexes.  Not  that  the  women  did  much  of  the  work 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


147 


of  stripping  the  husks  from  the  ears  of  corn,  nor  that  the 
men  understood  the  knack  of  laying  stitches  in  fantastic  lines 
in  a bed-quilt ; but  it  was  an  easy  thing  to  find  sources  of 
amusement,  if  not  of  useful  employment,  when  once  together. 
And  a walk  home  under  the  light  of  the  broad  harvest-moon 
had  its  poetry  in  that  day,  though  they  had  never  read  Bryant 
or  Longfellow.  They  had  balls  too,  — not  where  they  went 
at  eight  or  nine  o’clock,  and  got  home  in  the  small  hours 
after  midnight;  but  where  they  went  in  broad  daylight,  in 
the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  and  staid  till  broad  daylight  of 
the  next  morning  : not  whirling  and  shufiiing  in  dizzy  waltzes 
or  indescribable  polkas  or  schottisches,  to  the  music  of  a 
regimental  band ; but  luxuriating  in  sober  reels,  and  good, 
honest  “ country  dances,”  at  the  inspiration  of  a fiddle,  and, 
perchance,  a bass-viol  or  a tambourine  as  an  accompaniment. 

Though,  as  is  elsewhere  remarked,  in  the  progress  of  lux- 
ury, in  the  absence  of  all  carriages,  it  became  better  ton 
to  substitute  a second  horse  for  a pillion,  the  more  common 
mode  of  transportation  to  balls  and  merry-makings,  as  well  as 
meetings  of  a Sunday,  was  by  the  lady  seating  herself  upon  a 
pillion  behind  the  gentleman  who  attended  her.* 

Athletic  exercises  too,  among  the  men,  especially  the  young 
and  middle-aged,  were  commonly  practised  at  all  gatherings 
for  social  labor  or  amusements ; and  the  championship  of  the 


• Accidents  woald  happen  in  the  processes  of  locomotion,  even  in  those  days  of 
primitive  simplicity  of  conveyance;  though  the  luxury  of  being  smashed  up,  a dozen 
at  a time,  was  reserved  to  our  own  days  of  railroads.  I may,  perhaps,  be  pardoned 
for  narrating  here  an  incident  of  this  kind,  which  was  related  to  me  by  an  eye-witness, 
in  which  Mr.  R.  and  Miss  S.  participated.  Several  of  the  houses  in  Cherry  Valley  stand 
so  high,  that  they  have  a steep  bank  between  them  and  the  road.  Mr.  R.  called  at  one 
of  these,  prepared  to  give  Miss  S.  an  airing  on  horseback.  The  animal  was  rather 
small,  the  lady  of  goodly  size,  and  the  gentleman  no  pigmy.  Standing  upon  the  bank 
wall  in  front  of  the  house,  the  lady  seated  herself  behind  the  gentleman,  and  the  little 
horse  made  a desperate  effort  to  start:  but  the  load  being  unequally  balanced,  and  the 
bank  steep,  his  legs  upon  the  lower  side  gave  way  under  the  weight;  and  the  conse- 
quence was,  that  the  horse  and  his  riders  rolled  down  the  bank  into  the  road  together. 
Fortunately,  no  serious  harm  followed;  and  a better  starting-point  was  selected  the 
next  time. 


U8 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


wrestling-ring  was  an  honor  which  could  be  gained  or  held 
only  by  a decided  pre-eminence  in  muscle  and  skill. 

It  has  been  customary,  occasionally,  for  the  people  of  the 
town  to  commemorate  the  anniversary  of  the  declaration  of 
independence  by  orations,  public  dinners,  and  a reasonable 
amount  of  patriotic  uproar.  There  has  been  a less-marked 
exhibition  of  the  latter,  since  the  days  of  punch  before  dinner 
and  wine  after,  than  formerly  ; though,  taking  the  average 
patriotism  of  a given  number  of  days,  including  the  “ glorious 
Fourth,”  the  balance  is  believed  by  many  to  be  quite  in  favor 
of  the  modern  mode  of  observing  this  great  national  holiday. 

The  last  considerable  demonstration  upon  such  an  occasion 
was  in  1849  ; when,  in  pursuance  of  an  invitation,  of  which 
a copy  is  appended,*  there  was  a large  attendance  of  the 
people  of  the  ancient  town ; and  many  from  distant  homes 
came  back  to  indulge  in  the  pleasant  memories  of  the  past, 
while  they  renewed  the  ties  that  bound  them  to  a spot  once 
dear  to  them.  The  Hon.  James  Draper  presided.  Four  were 
present  who  had  taken  part  as  soldiers  in  the  scenes  of  the 
Revolution.  One  of  them  was  Mr.  Craige,  who  had  been  in 
the  battle  of  the  17th  June,  ’75.  Dr.  Flint  was  too  ill  to 


♦ Mat  23,  1849. 

Dear  Sir,  — The  citizens  of  the  towns  of  Leicester,  Spencer,  and  Paxton,  with  a 
portion  of  Auburn,  which  were  originally  incorporated  in  one  town  under  the  name 
of  Leicester,  propose  to  unite  in  a celebration  of  the  ensuing  Fourth  of  July  in  the 
present  town  of  Leicester;  for  the  purpose,  principally,  of  refreshing  our  minds  by  the 
early  reminiscences  of  our  history,  and  recalling  the  interesting  events  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  and  the  part  which  the  citizens  of  these  towns,  then  acting  together, 
took  in  achieving  our  independence,  and  laying  the  foundation  of  our  present  form  of 
government. 

The  Hon.  Emory  Washburn,  a descendant  of  this  town,  but  now  a resident  of 
Lowell,  will  deliver  an  historical  address  in  the  First  Congregational  Meeting-house  in 
Leicester,  at  half-past  ten  o’clock,  a.m.,  on  that  day. 

A dinner  will  be  provided  for  such  ladies  and  gentlemen  as  may  be  present  on  the 
occasion,  at  as  low  a price  as  can  be  afforded. 

To  increase  the  interest  of  this  celebration,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  many  of  the  absent 
sons  and  daughters  of  the  towns  once  composing  this  district  will  return  on  that  day 
to  join  in  its  festivities,  and  review,  with  their  friends  and  relatives  here,  the  interest- 
ing events  of  past  times. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  hereby  invite  you,  with  your  family,  to  be 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


149 


be  present.*  The  day  was  fine  ; no  accident  detracted  from 
the  pleasure  of  the  gathering ; and  after  a bountiful  dinner, 
a variety  of  patriotic  sentiments  and  interesting  speeches 
from  sundry  gentlemen,  the  assembly  separated  with  a feel- 
ing that  the  memory  of  the  fathers  ought  not  to  be  lost. 

Instead  of  attempting  to  give,  in  this  place,  an  original 
account  of  the  celebration,  I have  preferred  to  copy  from  a 
newspaper  article  of  the  day  the  detailed  statement,  which 
was  prepared  by  one  who  took  a very  active  part  in  the 
arrangements  for  the  occasion,  and  whose  aid  in  the  present 
work  I have  more  than  once  acknowledged.  As  an  incident 
in  the  local  history  of  the  town,  it  is  hoped  it  will  not  be 
deemed  too  unimportant  or  minute  for  insertion. 


HISTORICAL  CELEBRATION  AT  LEICESTER. 

Mr.  Editor,  — Presuming  that  a more  particular  account  than  has 
yet  been  given  of  the  recent  celebration  of  the  Fourth  in  this  place,  by 


present  with  us  on  that  day;  and,  fo£_the  purpose  of  ascertaining  as  nearly  as  possible 
what  preparations  may  be  necessary  for  the  accommodation  of  our  friends,  we  request 
you,  if  it  is  convenient  for  you  to  attend,  to  notify  us,  by  mail  or  otherwise,  as  early 
as  the  twentieth  day  of  June  next^  by  addressing  your  communication  to  John  Sargent, 
Esq,,  Postmaster,  Leicester,  Mass. 


Respectfully  yours, 

Edward  Flint, 

Isaac  Southgate, 
Henry  A.  Denny, 
John  Sargent, 

Jos.  A.  Denny, 

Jos.  D.  Sargent, 
Sewall  Sargent, 
Horace  Knight, 
Samuel  Watson, 
John  Woodcock, 
Reuben  S.  Dennj’’, 
Henry  E.  Warren, 
John  King, 

H.  G.  Henshaw, 
Silas  Gleason, 
Joseph  Whittemore, 
Hiram  Knight, 
Joshua  Lamb, 
Billings  Swan, 

Leicester. 


James  Draper, 
William  Pope, 
Thomas  Pierce, 
Foster  Bisco, 
Harvey  Prouty, 
William  Baldwin, 
Jeremiah  Grout, 
William  Henshaw, 
Geo.  W.  Morse, 
Alonzo  Temple, 

Spencer. 

Geo.  S.  Lakin, 
Simeon  Anthony, 
David  Harrington, 
Solon  G.  Howe, 
David  Manning, 

Paxton. 


* The  names  of  the  otliers  were  Asahel  Matthews,  Joel  How,  and  Phincas  Jones, 
— the  two  last  of  Spencer. 


150 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  united  towns  of  Spencer,  Paxton,  Auburn,  and  Leicester  (once 
composing  the  original  town  of  Leicester),  might  be  interesting  to  the 
hundreds  of  absent  sons  and  daughters  of  those  towns  who  were  unable 
to  be  present  on  the  occasion,  I send  you  a sketch  of  the  transactions 
of  that  interesting  day. 

A circular  having  previously  been  sent  out  to  the  former  residents 
of  these  towns  to  meet  together  on  that  occasion,  “ for  the  purpose  of 
refreshing  their  minds  by  the  early  reminiscences  of  their  history, 
recalling  the  interesting  events  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  the 
part  which  the  citizens  of  these  towns,  then  acting  together,  took  in 
achieving  our  independence,  and  laying  the  foundation  of  our  present 
form  of  government,”  the  quiet  village  of  Leicester,  where  the  cele- 
bration was  to  take  place,  was  enlivened  during  the  previous  day 
and  evening  by  the  arrival,  from  various  quarters  of  the  land,  of  the 
friends  and  relatives  of  its  present  citizens,  and  the  absent  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  town  from  a distance  ; and  the  many  happy  meetings 
which  took  place  among  former  friends  and  acquaintances  were  only  a 
prelude  to  the  enjoyments  of  the  following  day. 

The  morning  of  the  Fourth,  which  was  bright  and  beautiful,  was 
ushered  in  by  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  discharge  of  a national 
salute  on  the  Common.  The  refreshing  showers  in  the  early  part  of 
the  week  had  prepared  for  us  just  such  'a  day  as  would  have  been 
chosen  for  the  occasion ; and,  previous  to  the  hour  assigned  for  the 
services,  the  gathering  throng  from  the  neighboring  towns  manifested 
the  deep  interest  they  felt  in  this  novel  celebration  of  our  nation’s 
birthday. 

At  about  ten  o’clock,  a long  procession  of  the  citizens  of  Spencer 
in  carriages,  preceded  by  their  Fire-engine  Company  in  full  uniform, 
with  an  elegant  engine  drawn  by  two  horses,  were  met  on  their  way, 
and  escorted  into  the  village  by  the  Leicester  Fire-engine  Company, 
accompanied  by  the  Northbridge  Band,  which,  by  its  rich  music,  en- 
livened the  performances  of  the  day. 

At  half-past  ten,  a.m.,  the  multitude  assembled  at  the  grove,  — about 
eighty  rods  south-west  of  the  Common,  — where  seats  were  prepared 
to  accommodate  two  thousand  persons,  which  were  all  filled ; and  some 
hundreds  of  others  stood  around,  and  sat  in  carriages  near  the  stand 
erected  for  the  orator  of  the  day. 

Music  from  the  band  announced  the  time  for  the  commencement  of 
the  services,  which  were  introduced  by  an  earnest  and  appropriate 
prayer  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nelson,  the  venerable  minister,  who  has 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


151 


for  nearly  forty  years  past  been  settled  over  the  First  Congregational 
Society  in  this  place. 

The  following  hymn,  by  Henry  S.  TVashburn,  Esq.,  of  Worcester, 
was  then  sung  by  the  audience,  to  the  tune  of  Old  Hundred : — 

We  gather,  from  a thousand  homes, 

Around  the  old  ancestral  tree, 

From  rural  vales  and  city  domes. 

The  favored  children  of  the  free. 

AVe  tread  in  olden  paths  to-day  ; 

AYe  muse  on  hallowed  memories  here; 

And  linger  fondly  by  the  way 

AA'ith  friends  we’ve  missed  for  many  a year. 

And  spirits  of  the  just  and  true. 

Of  men  who  spurned  the  tyrant’s  power, 

AYhose  names  are  fragrant  as  the  dew,  — 

They,  too,  are  with  us  at  this  hour. 

Their  graves  are  with  us,  green  and  fair ; 

The  cold  sod  lies  upon  their  breasts  ; 

And  Freedom  breathes  no  holier  air 
Than  where  the  patriot  sweetly  rests. 

And,  Father,  while  with  filial  love 
AA^e  kneel  around  this  ancient  shrine, 

Oh,  may  thy  Spirit  from  above 
Renew  and  sanctify  us  thine ! 

And,  strengthened  by  these  rites  to-day 
For  harder  toil,  for  sterner  strife. 

May  we  press  on  Life’s  checkered  way 
Till  we  have  won  the  crown  of  life ! 

Of  the  oration  by  Hon.  Emory  AA^ashburn  we  shall  attempt  no 
description.  Its  subject  was,  in  accordance  with  the  design  of  the 
celebration,  a history  of  the  part  which  our  citizens  took  in  the  events 
of  the  Revolutionary  AATar;  and  the  intense  interest  with  -which  the 
audience  listened  during  the  hour  and  a half  occupied  by  the  orator 
gave  strong  evidence  of  the  power  of  his  eloquence  and  the  interest  of 
his  details. 

AA"e  trust  that,  in  accordance  with  a request  of  the  hearers,  this 
interesting  address  will  be  given  to  the  public. 


152 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


During  the  delivery  of  the  address,  quite  a sensation  was  produced 
in  the  audience  by  the  arrival  of  the  venerable  Lieut.  Nathan  Craige 
from  Spencer,  the  only  survivor  of  the  Leicester  Minute  Company ; 
who  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  the  company  of  Capt.  Seth 
Washburn  ; and  who  now,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five,  was  introduced  to 
the  assembly  by  the  President  of  the  day.  On  the  same  platform  also 
sat  three  other  venerable  Revolutionary  soldiers  belonging  to  the 
original  town  of  Leicester. 

After  the  services  at  the  Grove,  a procession  was  formed,  under  the 
direction  of  Henry  A.  Denny,  Esq.,  Chief-Marshal,  and  escorted  by 
the  fire  companies,  and  band  of  music,  to  the  table,  which  was  spread 
under  a spacious  tent  on  the  Common. 

Among  the  flags  that  were  floating  around  this  spot  was  one  erected 
by  the  students  of  Leicester  Academy,  and  surmounting  the  cupola  of 
that  venerable  institution ; bearing  as  its  motto,  Libertas  et  Doctrina 
sorores  germancE. 

Of  the  dinner,  which  was  provided  by  John  Wright,  Esq.,  of  Bos- 
ton, it  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  every  thing  was  arranged  in  the  most 
perfect  order,  and  in  a style  unequalled  by  any  public  table  we  have 
ever  before  seen. 

The  bountiful  bill  of  fare,  tastefully  arranged,  was  apparently  satis- 
factory to  every  guest ; and,  what  was  somewhat  remarkable  in  so 
extensive  a celebration,  every  seat  was  occupied,  and  every  one  wlio 
desired  a seat  was  provided  for.  Between  nine  and  ten  hundred  per- 
sons of  both  sexes  partook  of  the  dinner. 

During  the  three  or  four  hours  which  passed  at  the  table,  the  most 
perfect  order  prevailed,  while  a general  hilarity  seemed  to  pervade  the 
company.  Not  a gun  was  heard  in  the  village  around,  not  a cheer 
was  raised,  with  one  exception,  throughout  the  tent,  during  their  long 
sitting ; and  the  only  demonstration  of  applause  which  followed  the 
many  toasts,  poems,  speeches,  and  songs,  which  were  said  and  sung  by 
the  assembled  multitude,  were  the  clapping  of  hands  and  the  sup- 
pressed laughter  of  the  guests. 

The  order  and  decorum  which  prevailed  throughout  the  day  was 
worthy  of  remark,  as  showing  the  favorable  change  for  a few  years  past 
in  the  celebration  of  this  anniversary,  by  the  banishment  of  wine,  and 
the  introduction  of  our  wives  and  daughters  to  the  festivities  of  the 
occasion. 

The  Hon.  James  Draper  of  Spencer  presided  at  the  table,  assisted 
by  five  vice-presidents ; and  among  the  many  toasts  which  were  read, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


153 


and  the  many  more  which  were  omitted  for  want  of  time,  a few  only 
can  be  given. 

“ The  Massachusetts  Delegation  in  Congress.  — Though  they  have  cut  down 
her  proportion  from  an  eighth  to  less  than  a twenty-second  part,  they  will  find 
that  Massachusetts  can  be,  and  will  be,  the  Old  Bay  State  still.” 

This  sentiment  called  up  the  Hon.  Charles  Allen,  w'ho,  in  his  usual 
felicitous  manner,  interested  the  audience  by  his  appropriate  remarks, 
and,  in  conclusion,  offered  the  following  sentiment : — 

“ The  Fathers  of  the  Rerolutionary  Age.  — Living  for  the  future,  they  live 
in  that  future.  May  the  priceless  inheritance  acquired  by  their  privations  and 
sacrifices  be  augmented  and  enriched  by  each  succeeding  generation ! ” 

“ The  Clergy  of  New  England.  — They  rendered  their  country  good  service 
in  times  that  tried  men’s  souls.  May  they  ever  be  found  at  the  post  of  duty, 
laboring  to  save  men’s  souls.” 

To  this  sentiment.  Rev.  Dr.  Nelson,  the  Chaplain  of  the  day,  re- 
sponded in  a few  interesting  remarks. 

“ The  Orator  of  the  Day,  — w'ho,  improving  upon  the  liberality  exhibited 
by  his  honored  ancestor  * on  Charlestown  Neck,  has  not  only  permitted  us  to 
‘ go  back,’  but  has  actually  led  us  back,  to  the  beginning  of  our  history.’’ 

“ Worcester.  — When  a plain  country  matron,  she  lent  our  fathers  muskets 
in  the  War  of  Independence,  which  spoke  well  if  they  were  only  charged 
well.  Now  that  she  is  a city  lady,  she  has  done  better.  She  has  lent  us  men 
to  help  celebrate  that  independence,  who  not  only  can  speak  well,  but  are 
always  well  charged.” 

This  sentiment  called  up  his  Honor  the  Mayor  of  our  neighboring 
city,  Henry  Chapin,  Esq.,  wdio,  as  usual,  was  not  only  charged,  but 
primed,  and  went  off,  with  a speech  full  of  wit,  fun,  and  poetry,  which 
kept  his  audience  in  a roar  of  laughter,  and  left  them  all  in  great  good- 
humor.  He  closed  with  offering  the  following  sentiment : — 

“ The  Scattered  Families  of  the  Tribe  of  Leicester.  — Whether  they  dwell 
on  hill-top  or  in  valley,  may  peace  be  their  offering,  plenty  their  inheritance, 
and  virtue  the  crowning  glory  of  their  character  ! ” 


• Capt.  Seth  Washburn  of  Leicester,  grandfather  of  Judge  Washburn,  while  crossing 
Charlestown  Neck  to  Bunker  Hill  on  the  memorable  17th  of  June,  ’75,  exposed  to 
the  raking  fire  of  the  British,  halted  his  comi)any,  and  gave  leave  to  any  one,  who 
chose,  TO  GO  BACK.  Not  a man  in  the  company  accepted  the  offer. 

20 


154 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  following  song,  written  for  the  occasion  by  Henry  S.  Wash- 
burn, Esq.,  was  then  sung  by  the  Glee  Club : — 

’Twas  pleasant,  in  the  ancient  days, 

To  gather  snugly  round 

The  fireside,  in  a merry  mood, 

And  let  the  nuts  abound. 

The  nuts  and  cider,  gentlemen,  — 

Ye  well  remember  how 

They  disappeared  before  the  ken 
Of  some  who  are  with  us  now. 

But  such  refreshments,  gentlemen. 

We  bring  you  not  to-day ; 

For  nuts  and  cider,  as  you  know. 

Have  long  since  passed  away. 

But  as  the  cup  flows  merrily. 

With  sparkling  waters  bright. 

We’ll  gently  hint,  our  boards  are  spread 
A little  nearer  Wright. 

Our  mothers,  too  — in  olden  times 
They  had  their  quilting-bees  ; 

But  little  thought  that  they  should  live 
To  see  such  times  as  these. 

Nor  did  we  dream,  a year  ago. 

That  friends  so  far  away 

Would  bring  their  wives  and  children  here 
To  dine  with  us  to-day. 

Then  let  the  song  flow  merrily. 

And  heart  with  heart  commune  : 

’Tis  very  easy  now  to  sing 
In  almost  any  tune. 

And  very  long  this  partial  hour 
Will  memory  retain  ; 

And  often  shall  we  breathe  a wish 
To  meet  you  here  again. 

“ Our  Forefathers,  whose  characters  have  been  so  graphically  portrayed 
this  day : their  sepulchres  are  with  us.  May  their  rigid  adherence  to  civil 
and  religious  freedom  be  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  a grateful  posterity  ! ” 

“ Our  Patriotic  Grandmothers  of  ’76.  — Although  they  could  not  cause  the 
sun  and  moon  to  stand  still,  yet,  by  converting  their’  clock-weights  into  bul- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


155 


lets,  they  did  what  they  could  to  cause  time  to  stop,  until  their  sons  had 
‘ avenged  themselves  upon  their  enemies.’  ” * 

“ Lieut.  Nathan  Craige,  our  venerable  Guest,  who  in  his  youth,  like 
Cincinnatus,  left  his  plough  to  serve  his  country.  Like  that  worthy  old  Ro- 
man, he  is  permitted,  after  a long  and  virtuous  life,  to  spend  the  evening  of 
his  days  in  the  peaceful  enjoyment  of  a quiet  home,  a good  conscience,  and 
the  respect  of  a grateful  community.” 

“ The  Ladies.  — Crowns  of  our  rejoicing  in  prosperity  ; angels  of  consola- 
tion in  adversity : Without  them,  the  earth  would  be  a desolation ; with  them, 
it  may  become  a paradise.” 

The  following  song,  by  Hon.  Charles  Thurber,  was  sung  by  the 
audience  in  the  tune  of  Auld  Lang  Syne  : — 

With  buoyant  hearts  and  merry  feet, 

The  young  go  out  to  roam  ; 

But,  ah ! ’tis  bliss  again  to  meet 
Within  the  bowers  of  home. 

How  sweet  to  think  we’ve  come  away, 

From  Business’  giddy  whirls. 

With  such  a host  of  boys  to-day, 

And  such  a lot  of  girls ! 

Old  Mrs.  Leicester,  t’other  day. 

Was  thinking  at  her  home 

About  her  children  far  away. 

And  wrote  to  have  them  come ; 

And  so,  this  morn,  with  merry  voice. 

And  proud  as  any  earls. 

There  came  a host  of  Leicester  boys. 

And  lots  of  Leicester  girls. 

The  cannon  roared,  that  proudly  tells 
The  brave  are  on  the  way ; 

The  bells  were  rung  to  show  that  belles 
Are  “ all  the  go  ” to-day. 

No  sound  is  heard  but  Freedom’s  voice. 

No  flag  but  hers  unfurls, 

’Midst  such  a host  of  Freedom’s  boys. 

And  such  a lot  of  girls. 


* When  word  came  that  the  British  were  marching  ont  to  Lexington  and  Concord, 
Mrs.  Sargent,  grandmother  to  tlie  present  Postmaster,  during  the  brief  hour  in  wliich 
her  two  sons  prepared  for  their  march  to  join  the  patriot  forces,  to^.k  ol!  her  clock- 
weiglits,  and  run  them  up  into  bullets  for  them  to  curry. 


156 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Not  those  alone  to-day  we  view, 

We  used  to  greet  before ; 

For  many  a one  is  changed  to  two, 

And  many  a two  to  — more. 

So  Leicester,  like  Cornelia,  stands. 

And  calls  her  children  pearls  ; 

While  o’er  her  boys  she  waves  her  hands, 
And  also  o’er  her  girls. 

Old  bachelors  enjoy  the  scene. 

Who  never  laughed  before ; 

And  simpering  gii’ls,  but  just  sixteen. 

For  forty  years  and  more : 

The  smiles  around  their  faces  play. 

The  zephyrs  round  their  curls ; 

For  here  are  hosts  of  boys  to-day. 

And  lots  of  merry  girls. 

The  farmer  lets  his  weary  team 
O’er  hill  and  valley  stray ; 

The  frugal  housewife  leaves  her  cream 
To  churn  another  day. 

We  have  no  time  for  such  employs ; 
AVe’re  prouder  now  than  earls  ; 

For  here  are  almost  all  the  boys. 

And  nearly  all  the  girls. 

The  merchant  puts  his  ledger  back  ; 

The  banker  locks  his  chest ; 

The  doctor  drops  his  ipecac, 

And  lets  the  weary  rest : 

For  Care  may  find  no  harbor  near. 

Where  Freedom’s  flag  unfurls  ; 

For  almost  all  the  boys  are  here. 

And  nearly  all  the  girls. 

The  anxious  lawyer,  bruised  and  scarred 
By  many  a legal  thump. 

And  boys  that  nicely  work  the  card 
Till  cash  becomes  the  trump. 

Have  come  to-day  to  taste  of  joys 
That  rival  all  the  world’s. 

Amidst  a host  of  Leicester  boys. 

And  lots  of  Leicester  girls. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


157 


The  parson  from  his  sermon  comes, 

With  Freedom’s  spirit  gay  ; 

And  e’en  the  Judge  has  left  his  looms, 

To  spin  our  yarn  to-day. 

Oh ! such  the  time,  and  such  the  cheer. 

And  such  the  string  of  pearls  ! — 

Why,  almost  all  the  boys  are  here. 

And  nearly  all  the  girls. 

And,  while  the  hours  go  merrily, 

A prayer  shall  end  the  lay  : 

May  Madam  Leicester  ever  be 
As  happy  as  to-day  ! 

And,  when  the  ransomed  spirits  wear 
Their  glorious  crowns  of  pearls, 

!May  all  the  Leicester  boys  be  there, 

And  all  the  Leicester  girls  ! 

By  the  President  of  the  day  : — 

The  First  Settlers  of  Leicester. — They  had  a King  and  an  Earl;  yet  they 
had  respect  to  no  other  nobility  than  that  of  the  soul.  They  had  one  Frier ; 
but  they  abjured  the  Pope  and  his  doctrine.  With  a Sargeant  to  aid  in 
driving  out  the  enemy,  and  two  Southgates  to  shut  him  out;  with  their  Den- 
nys, their  Henshaws,  their  Greens,  and  ‘ John  Smith,’  — they  proved  them- 
selves efficient  pioneers  for  establishing  a new  settlement.” 

By  Amos  Warren,  Esq.,  of  Woodstock,  Vt. : — 

“ Leicester^  our  Early  Home.  — Though  progress  is  the  rallying-word 
of  the  times,  and  onward  and  forward  the  labor  of  the  head  and  the  hands; 
yet  the  heart  calls  us  backward,  and  the  pilgrim  of  nearly  a half-century’s 
absence  finds  his  youth  renewed  in  the  homes  and  haunts  of  his  childhood.” 

The  following  glee,  contributed  by'  a friend,  was  also  sung  by  the 
Glee  Club:  — 

Come,  come,  come. 

Come  to  this  festal  board. 

Ye  who  have  wandered  long. 

Ye  old  friends  tried  and  true; 

Oh  ! come  in  a phalanx  strong. 

Not  often  thus  we  mingle 
In  Life’s  uncertain  way ; 

Not  often  thus  we  gather 
As  we  have  met  to-day. 


158 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Come,  come,  come. 

Come  to  this  festal  board, 

Ye  who  have  wandered  long. 

Ye  old  friends  tried  and  true  ; 

Oh  ! come  in  a phalanx  strong. 

Come,  come,  come. 

Come  to  this  festal  board  ; 

With  kindred  hearts  draw  near  ; 

Come  to  this  feast  of  love, 

AVith  a hearty  welcome  here. 

Oh  ! many  a weary  hour 
Shall  we  tread  Life’s  rugged  way, 

Ere  we  shall  meet  again 
As  we  have  met  to-day. 

Come,  come,  come. 

Come  to  this  festal  board ; 

AVith  kindred  hearts  draw  near ; 

Come  to  this  feast  of  love, 

AA^ith  a hearty  welcome  here. 

By  John  Partridge,  Esq.,  Paxton : — 

“ The  Seeds  of  the  American  Revolution,  sown  broadcast  over  Europe.  — 
May  all  the  nations  of  that  continent  soon  be  able  to  sing  the  Harvest 
Home  ! ” 

By  Abraham  Firth,  Esq. : — 

“ The  Permanent  Residents  of  the  Town.  — Alay  their  private  and  public 
virtues  be  so  pre-eminent,  that  the  sons  of  Leicester  everywhere,  and  in  all 
time,  may  never  feel  ashamed  of  their  birthplace  ! ” 

By  a Citizen : — 

“ Our  Fire-engine  Companies,  the  minute-men  of  modern  times.  — Like 
their  Revolutionary  fathers,  they  conquer  the  enemy  by  the  use  of  their 
arms.” 

By  a Fireman : — 

“ The  Ladies.  — Their  eyes  kindle  the  only  flame  we  dare  not  encounter, 
and  which  our  arms  cannot  conquer.” 

By  Samuel  Allen,  Esq. : — 

“ The  Memory  of  the  late  Col.  William  Henshaw,  — a man  without  fear 
and  without  reproach.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


159 


By  H.  G.  Henshaw,  Esq. : — 

“ The  Memory  of  the  late  Hon.  Joseph  Allen,  once  a prominent  and  fa- 
Torite  citizen  of  Leicester.  — His  memory  is  ‘ fragrant  as  the  dew.’  ” 

Among  the  sentiments  received  from  our  absent  friends  were  the 
following : — 

By  Andrew  H.  Ward,  Esq.,  Newton : — 

“ The  Town  of  Leicester,  the  home  of  our  ancestors.  — While  her  farm 
has  decreased,  her  children  hare  increased.  When  we  visit  the  hearthstone 
again  on  a like  occasion,  may  we,  as  now,  find  her  Sargeants  in  the  line  of 
promotion,  her  Flints  well  picked.  Kings  and  Knights  among  her  sons,  her 
Woodcocks  and  Swans  unmolested  by  sportsmen,  and  herself  choice  of  her 
Lambs!” 

By  Hon.  Waldo  Flint,  Boston:  — 

“ Our  Ancestors  of  the  Revolution.  — We  shall  prove  ourselves  ungrateful 
sons,  and  unworthy  of  the  blessings  we  inherit,  if  we  ever  fail  to  rise  up  and 
call  them  blessod.” 

By  Hon.  Nathan  Sargeant,  Washington,  D.C. : — 

“ The  School-houses  and  the  Meeting-houses  of  New  England,  — the 
brightest  jewels  in  her  diadem.” 

By  Rev.  George  ALLEN-i- — 

“ Libeiiy,  the  right  of  all.  — God  speed  to  all  the  fruition  of  that  right ! ” 

Among  the  speakers  at  the  table  was  Hon.  Joseph  Sprague, 
Ex-Mayor  of  Brooklyn,  N.Y". ; who,  in  responding  to  a sentiment,  gave 
some  sketches  of  the  campaign  on  Long  Island,  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  while  our  troops  were  stationed  there. 

Letters  and  sentiments  were  received  from  many  invited  guests  who 
were  unable  to  be  present ; some  of  which  were  read,  but  many  were 
necessarily  omitted.  They  showed,  how^ever,  the  deep  interest  felt  by 
all  the  descendants  of  the  place  in  the  object  of  the  celebration. 

Among  the  interesting  events  of  the  day  was  the  welcome  meeting, 
at  this  table,  of  many  former  friends,  and  the  greeting  of  those  who  had 
for  many  years  been  separated,  and  had  now  again  come  together  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  to  renew  their  acquaintance,  and,  perhaps  for 
the  last  time,  to  look  upon  the  associates  of  their  childhood. 

IMany  a hearty  welcome  was  exchanged,  and  many  a silent  tear  was 
shed,  as  the  guests  moved  about  from  friend  to  friend  during  the 
time  occupied  by  the  speakers  at  the  table. 


160 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


From  our  cities  and  towns  came  together  the  loved  and  honored 
sons  of  old  Leicester,  some  with  gray  hairs,  who  went  out  from  us  in 
early  youth  ; and  we  were  pleased  to  see  among  the  happy  group 
many  who  left  us  in  early  life,  penniless  and  alone,  to  seek  their  for- 
tune in  other  climes,  return  with  their  families  to  visit  us  on  this  occa- 
sion, blessed  with  prosperity,  and  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their  industry 
and  enterprise. 

Long  will  the  fathers  and  mothers,  the  sons  and  daughters,  of  old 
Leicester,  remember  this  happy  meeting,  and  the  interesting  incidents 
which  occurred  on  the  occasion ; and  may  the  success  which  attended 
our  etforts  in  this  novel  and  interesting  enterprise  be  the  cause  of  many 
such  happy  gatherings  of  the  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims,  in  years  to 
come,  on  the  hills  and  in  the  valleys  of  New  England ! 

J.  A.  D. 

Leicester,  July  10,  1849- 


In  Washington’s  diary,  recently  published,  he  speaks  of  the 
towns  he  passed  through,  and  the  places  at  which  he  stopped, 
on  his  journey  to  Boston.  He  spent  the  night  of  the  22d  Oc- 
tober, 1789,  at  Mr.  Jenks’s  tavern,  in  Spencer.  On  Friday,  the 
23d,  “ we  commenced  our  course  with  the  sun ; and,  passing 
through  Leicester,  met  some  gentlemen  of  the  town  of  Worces- 
ter, on  the  line  between  it  and  the  former,  to  escort  us.” 

The  circumstance  is  also  noticed  in  the  diary  of  a citizen  of 
Leicester,  now  before  me ; and  was  long  recalled  as  a memo- 
rable event,  although  there  does  not  appear  to  have  been  any 
public  demonstration  on  the  part  of  the  town.  A scarcely 
less  interesting  occurrence  of  the  kind  was  the  passing  through 
the  south  part  of  the  town,  by  Gen.  La  Fayette,  Sept.  3, 1824. 
The  people  crowded  to  greet  him : and  all  along  the  road- 
side, and  at  every  village,  they  were  seen  cheering  him 
with  shouts  and  the  waving  of  hats  and  handkerchiefs ; and, 
wherever  he  stopped,  his  carriage  was  surrounded  by  peo- 
ple pressing  for  a chance  to  shake  the  hand  of  this  early  and 
noble  friend  of  America.  He  was  attended  by  a troop  of 
horse,  and  an  escort  of  carriages,  military  officers,  citizens, 
Ac.,  — the  free  ovation  of  a grateful  people. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


161 


CEMETERIES. 

While  we  are  thus  indulging  in  the  recollection  of  what 
men  did,  and  where  they  lived,  while  filling  up  the  incidents 
of  the  local  history  of  the  town,  we  ought  not  to  pass  unno- 
ticed the  spots  where  they  are  reposing,  — the  cemeteries  of 
the  town.  As  a test  and  standard  of  refined  sentiment  in 
selecting  and  adorning  the  last  resting-place  of  the  dead,  the 
early  cemeteries  of  this  town,  like  those  all  over  Xew  England 
at  the  time,  would  be  of  the  most  humble  pretension.  In- 
deed, there  have  been  few  more  decided  marks  of  a growing 
refinement  in  the  public  taste  than  the  selection  of  beautiful 
and  becoming  spots,  where  art  and  aftection  combine  to  rob 
the  externals  of  the  grave  of  all  that  is  repulsive,  and  to  add 
the  attractions  of  the  lovely  in  nature  to  the  associations  of 
love  and  affection  which  consecrate  the  mound  beneath  which 
the  wife,  the  child,  or  the  friend,  is  reposing. 

Beginning  with  Mount  Auburn,  the  beautiful  idea  has 
found  a type  in  the  recent  rural  cemeteries  of  many  of  the 
towns  in  the  Commonwealth ; and  will,  ere  long,  be  copied  in 
every  one.  Such  has  been  the  case  with  Leicester.  A new 
cemetery,  in  a sequestered  spot,  amidst  the  spreading  shades 
of  the  pine  and  other  forest  trees,  was  consecrated  by  suitable 
and  appropriate  ceremonies  in  1841.  It  is  about  half  a mile 
south-west  of  the  fleeting-house.  But,  before  noticing  this 
further,  I recur  to  the  earlier  burving-places  in  the  town. 
One  of  these  was  in  rear  of  the  Congregational  Meeting- 
house ; probably  occupied  as  such  from  the  very  first  settle- 
ment of  the  town.  Here,  borrowing  the  language  of  poetry, 
without  meaning  to  do  injustice  to  their  character,  “ the 
rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep.’’ 

It  ceased  to  be  used,  except  occasionally,  as  a burial-place, 
after  about  1765  (at  least,  for  new  families),  when  the  one, 
half  a mile  west  of  the  Meeting-house,  was  opened ; and,  when 

21 


162 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


it  was  thought  desirable  to  extend  the  Common  in  rear  of 
the  Meeting-house,  the  headstones  were  removed,  the  graves 
levelled,  and  every  mark  and  vestige  of  the  spots  where  some 
two  or  three  generations  had  successively  been  laid  were 
effectually  obliterated.  Jethro,  elsewhere  noticed,  was  the 
last  person  buried  within  the  original  cemetery  ; and  this  must 
have  been  about  1810. 

The  second  cemetery,  in  point  of  time,  was  that  around  the 
Baptist  Meeting-house  in  Greenville.  Capt.  Samuel  Green 
was,  as  is  supposed,  the  first  person  buried  there ; which  was 
in  January,  1736. 

The  burying-ground  around  the  Friends’  Meeting-house  was 
begun  to  be  occupied  about  1739,  and  formed  originally  a 
part  of  the  farms  of  Nathaniel  Potter  and  Robert  Earle. 

About  1750,  a cemetery  was  begun  upon  the  farm  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town,  then  owned  by  John  Lynde,  Esq., 
afterwards  by  Isaac  Choate,  and  more  recently  by  Deacon 
Joseph  Elliot.  Mrs.  Benjamin  Wheaton,  a daughter  of  John 
Lynde,  was  among  the  first  persons  interred  there,  after  the 
burial  of  her  father,  which  took  place  in  1756. 

Another  collection  of  graves  may  be  seen,  in  the  south-west- 
erly part  of  the  town,  upon  the  farm  formerly  belonging  to 
Elder  Richard  Southgate.  The  grave  of  the  Elder  is  among 
them.  The  last  interment  there  was  that  of  Judah  South- 
gate  in  1799. 

There  is  a cemetery  in  Cherry  Yalley,  originally  begun  by 
Benjamin  Studley  in  1816,  which  is  laid  out  with  much  taste 
as  a public  burial-place  for  the  people  in  that  part  of  the 
town. 

Several  small  clusters  ■ of  graves,  and  single  graves,  are 
scattered  in  various  parts  of  the  town.  Those  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Parsons  and  Dr.  Lawton  are  mentioned  elsewhere.  Seve- 
ral of  these  are  memorials  of  the  time,  wdien  it  was  thought 
necessary  to  resort  to  “ pest-houses,”  as  they  were  called,  in 
which  the  patient  submitted  to  inoculation  as  a protection 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


163 


from  the  small-pox,  before  the  days  of  vaccination.  Although 
this  was  found  to  be  comparatively  far  more  safe  than  being 
subjected  to  that  loathsome  disease  in  the  natural  way,”  it 
was  attended  with  much  hazard  ; as  was  attested  by  more  or 
less  graves  found  near  the  localities  of  most  of  those  hospi- 
tals. One  of  them  was  the  house  formerly  of  Joseph  Shaw, 
near  the  “ Shaw  Pond,”  so  called ; it  being,  as  all  such  hospi- 
tals were,  remote  from  any  road  or  any  other  dwelling-house. 
One  inscription  upon  one  of  these  headstones  is  still  legible : 
In  memory  of  Miss  Ruth  Paine,  daughter  of  Mr.  Jabez  and 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Paine,  who  died  April  10,  1778,  in  the  24th 
year  of  her  age.  This  stone  was  set  up  by  a sencear  mornerj^ 
But  no  headstone  records  to  whom  the  sleeper  there  was 
indebted  for  this  simple  tribute  of  affection. 

The  proprietor  of  the  Mount-Pleasant  Estate  (Mr.  Lewis 
Allen)  was,  by  his  direction,  buried  in  the  garden  in  1780.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  thirty-five.  In  the  conveyance  of  his  estate 
after  his  death,  this  spot  was  reserved ; but,  some  forty  years 
since,  it  shared  the  lot  of  most  such  private  graves.  The 
estate  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a stranger ; and,  regardless 
of  the  uses  to  which  the  spot  had  been  consecrated,  every 
vestige  of  it  was  levelled  beneath  the  ploughshare  ; and  it  is 
no  longer  to  be  distinguished. 

MOUNT  PLEASANT. 

The  estate  which  has  long  been  known  by  this  name,  was, 
at  one  time,  of  sufficient  magnitude  and  importance  to  be 
the  subject  of  particular  notice.  The  mansion-house  stands 
on  what  was  originally  lot  No.  33  ; at  first  laid  out  to  Joseph 
Parsons,  who  is  mentioned  in  this  work.  From  him  it  passed 
to  Nathaniel  Kanney  of  Boston  ; and  belonged  to  William 
Brown  in  1724,  when  the  deed-of  the  proprietors  of  the  town 
was  made  to  the  settlers  of  the  east  half  of  the  township. 
After  that,  it  belonged  to  Ralph  Inman,  who  sold  it  to  Darby 


164 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Eyan.  He  sold  one-half  of  the  farm  to  John  Eyan,  his  father, 
in  1767.  He  sold  to  Jonathan  Sargent,  jun.,  in  1771.  The 
same  year,  Mr.  Sargent  sold  it  to  Joseph  Henshaw,  then 
called  of  Boston.  He  owned  it  seven  years,  and,  during  that 
time,  erected  the  mansion-house  now  standing  upon  it,  as  has 
already  been  mentioned,  from  materials  brought  from  Boston. 
Col.  Henshaw  is  noticed  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

In  March,  1778,  he  sold  to  Lewis  Allen,  of  Shrewsbury, 
called  a goldsmith.  He  had,  in  the  mean  time,  become  the 
owner  of  some  adjacent  land,  making  a hundred  and  thirty-six 
acres  in  all : and  the  sum  paid  for  it  at  that  time  was  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  pounds.  Mr.  Allen  was  a man  of  peculiar 
habits  and  notions  ; and,  in  the  early  part  of  the  Eevolution, 
had  been  a royalist.  He  gave  the  estate  the  name  it  has  since 
borne  ; and,  when  he  died,  was  buried,  by  his  direction,  in  the 
garden,  as  has  been  stated.  The  reason  for  this,  as  related 
in  Ward’s  History  of  Shrewsbury,  and  as  given  by  Mr.  Allen, 
was,  that  he  might  hear  the  news  from  Boston  when  the 
stage  came  along.  A little  grove  of  maples,  growing  close 
by  the  road  near  the  avenue  to  the  house,  was  planted  by 
him.  He  died  there  in  1780.  His  administrators  sold  the 
estate,  together  with  an  additional  seventy  acres  which  he 
had  purchased  of  Darby  Eyan,  to  Samuel  Brooks  of  Worcester, 
in  1783,  for  nine  hundred  and  twenty-six  pounds,  reserving  a 
rod  of  land  where  said  Allen  had  been  buried.  Thomas  Stick- 
ney,  who  had  removed  here  from  Newburyport,  then  became 
the  owner,  and  carried  on  business  as  a merchant  there  until 
his  death  in  August,  1791.*  In  September,  1795,  Capt.  John 


* I have  been  enabled,  by  the  favor  of  J.  Henry  Stickney,  Esq.,  an  eminent  merchant 
of  Baltimore,  and  a grandson  of  Mr.  Stickney,  to  present  to  the  reader  a view  of  this 
estate  as  it  appeared  in  1794  ; it  being  a copy  of  a print  published  in  the  Massachu- 
setts Magazine  of  that  year.  I give  below  the  account  which  accompanied  the 
original  print.  As  a memorial  of  the  primitive  condition  of  the  estate,  the  print  has 
much  interest  ; while  the  source  from  which  it  has  been  derived,  gives  it  additional 
value. 

‘■^Description  of  Mount  Pleasant^  accompanied  icith  a striking  Hew.  — The  annexed 
plate  exhibits  a view  of  Mount  Pleasant,  in  Leicester,  Mass.,  — the  real  estate  of  the  late 


,LMTC\'>ITOi  .luOO)i;\T 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


165 


Ljon,  tlien  called  of  Worcester,  who  had  married  the  widow 
of  Mr.  Stickney,  sold  the  homestead,  then  containing  two  Imn- 
dred  acres,  with  the  mansion-house,  barn,  potash,  farm-house, 
and  all  other  buildings  thereon,’’  to  James  Swan,  then  called 
of  Boston,  for  five  thousand  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
dollars.  In  other  contemporary  deeds  he  is  called  of  Dor- 
chester, where  he  had  an  elegant  seat. 

The  extent  of  his  estates,  and  the  style  of  magnificence 
in  which  he  lived,  rendered  the  removal  of  ^lajor  Swan  to 
Leicester  a memorable  event  in  its  history.  In  all  these,  he  so 
far  exceeded  any  thing  which  had  been  before  familiar  to  the 
people,  that  he  was  the  object  of  general  interest  and  atten- 
tion ; and  fabulous  stories  of  the  wealth  he  displayed  were 
told  for  many  years  after  his  brief  reign  of  magnificence  and 
admiration  had  passed  by.  He  had  been  a major  of  a regi- 
ment of  artillery  in  the  Continental  service,  commanded  by 
Col.  Crafts,  in  which  Capts.  Todd  and  Henshaw,  and  Lieut. 
John  Southgate,  of  Leicester,  had  held  commissions.  He  may 
have  been  led  to  think  of  this  as  a place  of  residence  from  his 
acquaintance  with  these  gentlemen,  but  more  probably  from 
the  attractiveness  of  the  estate.  He  at  one  time  must  have 
owned  some  seven  or  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  in  a body ; 
embracing,  besides  the  homestead,  the  farms  known  as  the 
Calvin  Hersey  Estate  ; the  John  A.  Denny  Estate;  the  Moore 
Farm,  afterwards  of  Col.  Henry  Sargent;  the  William  Silves- 
ter Farm,  and  parts  of  several  other  farms.  There  are  per- 
sons living  who  remember  the  marks  of  a liberal  culture  and 
tasteful  arrangement  which  this  estate  presented  in  many 
of  its  parts,  enclosed  by  firm  and  substantial  walls  and  gates. 


Mr.  Thomas  Stickney,  deceased.  This  elegant  seat  is  fifty-five  miles  from  Boston,  on  the 
post-road  to  New  York.  It  commands  an  extensive  prospect  of  the  neighboring  coun- 
try ; and,  for  salubrity  of  air,  is  perhaps  unequalled  : a situation  equally  favorable  for 
philosophical  retirement  and  manly  Improvement.  The  gentleman  of  agricultural  taste 
on  this  farm  of  two  hujulred  and  twenty  acres  may  amuse  himself  with  various  experi- 
ments in  the  most  useful  science  of  husbandry,  and  the  sportsman  from  its  forests  and 
streams  may  find  salutary  exercise  and  varied  pleasure.” 


166 


HISTORY.  OF  LEICESTER. 


but  whose  productive  mowing-fields  and  tillage-lands,  after  a 
few  years  of  neglect,  were  changed  into  rough  and  unsavory 
pastures,  covered  with  brush,  and  rendered  little  better  than 
unprofitable  wastes.  I speak  principally  of  the  homestead ; 
the  buildings  and  fences  of  which  were,  after  the  removal 
of  Major  Swan,  suffered  to  go  to  decay ; and  remained  in 
that  condition  till  its  late  proprietor,  by  judicious  skill  and 
labor,  did  much  to  restore  the  soil  to  its  productiveness,  and 
the  dwelling-house  to  a pleasant  and  comfortable  homestead. 

I am  unable  to  state  how  long  Major  Swan  occupied  this 
estate  ; but  I apprehend  it  was  for  a few  years  only.  He 
seems  to  have  been  a man  who  lived  in  a style  beyond  his 
actual  wealth,  or,  by  some  revulsion  of  fortune,  was  induced 
to  retire  to  France,  where  his  creditors  endeavored  in  vain 
to  coerce  the  payment  of  their  debts.  I find  the  following 
notice  in  the  ‘‘Worcester  Spy’’  of  the  18th  September,  1830: 
“ A letter  from  Dr.  Niles,  now  at  Paris,  mentions,  that,  on 
July  22,  St.  Pelagie  (the  Debtor’s  Prison  in  Paris)  was 
opened,  and  that  among  the  liberated  was  Mr.  Swan,  an  Ame- 
rican citizen  (formerly  of  Leicester),  who  has  occupied  the 
same  room  thirty-two  years  and  one  day.” 

The  papers  have  since  mentioned  his  death  in  Paris ; he 
never  having  returned  to  America.  His  social  position  and 
family  connections  in  this  country  were  of  the  most  respecta- 
ble rank  in  life.  But  this  work  has  properly  little  connection 
with  his  personal  history,  except  so  far  as  it  was  connected 
with  that  of  the  town. 

If  we  were  to  trace  the  history  of  other  estates  here, 
it  would  be  found  remarkable  that  so  few  have  remained  in 
the  line  of  any  one  family.  Of  the  few  that  have  any  claim 
to  being  paternal  acres,  may  be  mentioned  that  of  Mr.  Sewall 
Sargent ; whose  ancestor,  Nathan,  purchased  it,  and  moved 
upon  it  in  1742.  L}unan  Waite,  Esq.,  lives  upon  a part  of  the 
estate  which  his  grandfather  cleared  of  the  primitive  forest, 
and  owned  as  early  as  1735,  and  perhaps  earlier;  and  which 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


167 


came  to  the  present  owner  by  descent  from  his  father.  Mr. 
Daniel  Livermore  owns  and  lives  upon  a part  of  the  estate 
which  was  conveyed  to  his  ancestor,  Daniel  Livermore,  as  one 
of  the  settlers  of  the  town  in  1724.  There  is  one  other  estate 
which  has  been  held  by  the  same  family  since  previous  to 
1728 ; and  that  is  the  one  on  which  Joseph  Whittemore  lived 
at  the  time  of  his  recent  death.  It  was  purchased  by  Deacon 
John,  his  grandfather;  and  was  afterwards  owned  by  his 
father,  Lieut.  James.  But,  beyond  these,  I do  not  recall 
one  which  has  passed  by  descent  in  any  one  family  for  the 
term  of  a hundred  years,  or  even  approximating  to  that  length 
of  time. 

Mr.  William  Henshaw  lives  upon  a part  of  the  original  farm 
of  his  ancestor,  Daniel  Henshaw ; and  Dr.  Pliny  Earle  lives 
upon  part  of  that  of  his  ancestor,  Half  Earle.  The  place  on 
which  Mr.  Henry  E.  Warren  lives  belonged  to  his  grandfather  ; 
and  the  place  owned  by  Mr.  Eber  Bond  was  owned  by  his 
ancestor,  Benjamin,  before  1747. 

PUBLIC-HOUSES. 

Among  the  houses  in  town  which  have  been  occupied  as 
inns,  or  taverns,  are  the  following ; though  I am  unable  to 
give  all  the  occupants,  or  to  mention  them  in  their  order 
where  they  have  been  ascertained. 

The  first  in  order  of  time  was  one  standing  where  Capt. 
KnighPs  house  is,  at  the  corner  of  the  Great  and  the  Rut- 
land Road.  It  was  early  built,  and  occupied  as  a public- 
house  from  the  first.  The  first  occupant  was  Nathaniel  Ricli- 
ardson,  as  early  as  1721.  John  Taylor  owned  and  occupied 
it  in  1746.  He  sold  to  John  Taylor,  jun.,  in  1755.  In  1756,  it 
was  kept  a short  time  by  Seth  Washburn.  He  appears  to 
have  been  succeeded  by  Mr.  Taylor  again.  Benjamin  Tucker 
occupied  it  in  1761,  and,  by  permission  of  tlie  town,  dug  a 
well  upon  the  Common,  now  remaining,  — “ a little  west  of  the 


168 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


sign-post.”  The  house  then  belonged  to  the  estate  of  Mr. 
Ta}dor,  who  had  died.  It  was  soon  purchased  by  Edward 
Bond;  and  while  in  his  possession,  in  1767,  was  burned,  as 
stated  in  another  part  of  this  work.  The  house  was  rebuilt 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  Bond  until  1775,  when  he  sold  it  to 
Isaac  Kibbe ; but  I apprehend  he  never  lived  upon  it.  It 
was  kept  by  Elijah  Lathrop  from  1776  to  1778;  when  Peter 
Taft,  from  Uxbridge,  who  had  purchased  of  Kibbe,  occupied 
it  till  1781.  He  then  sold  it  to  Reuben  Swan,  who  enlarged 
it,  and  continued  to  occupy  it  until  1801 ; when  William  Den- 
ny purchased  and  occupied  it  till  about  1810.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Aaron  Morse,  who  occupied  it  until  he  removed 
into  the  tavern  opposite  the  Meeting-house. 

The  next  house  in  order  of  time  was  that  of  Jonathan  Sar- 
gent, which  stood  opposite  the  Catholic  Church.  It  was  built 
and  occupied  as  a tavern  as  early  as  1727.  Mr.  Sargent 
occupied  it  till  his  death.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son 
Phinehas,  who  occupied  it  till  his  death  in  1776.  Upon  his 
death,  the  estate  was  purchased  by  Xathan  Waite,  who  owned 
it  till  his  death,  but  discontinued  it  as  a tavern  several  years 
before  that  time. 

The  house  standing  where  Mr.  Robert  Watson  lately  lived 
was  kept  as  a public-house  in  1740  by  James  Smith.  It  was 
afterwards  kept  as  such  by  Samuel  Lynde  in  1755;  and,  in 
1759,  was  destroyed  by  a hurricane,  as  has  been  stated. 

As  early  as  1776,  Col.  Phinehas  Newhall  kept  a public- 
house  upon  the  North  County  Road,  where  Mr.  Eddy  lives. 
It  was  kept  by  him  as  such  for  many  years,  and  continued  to 
be  so  occupied  into  the  present  century.  It  was  a large  and 
commodious  house  ; but  has,  within  a few  years,  been  replaced 
by  one  of  smaller  dimensions. 

The  house  opposite  the  Meeting-house,  which  has  been  so 
long  kept  as  a hotel,  was  built  for  that  purpose  by  Nathan 
Waite  in  1776.  The  following  year,  he  removed  to  the  place 
where  he  afterwards  lived,  and  sold  the  estate  to  Jacob  Rod 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


169 


Rivera.  Mr.  Rivera  traded  there  until  his  removal  to  New- 
port in  1783. 

From  that  time,  the  house  has  been  kept  as  a hotel  by 
various  persons,  among  whom  were  Mr.  George  Bruce  and 
Mr.  Bugbee;  Abner  Dunbar;  Johnson  Lynde,  in  1797-8;  Arad 
Lynde,  his  son,  and  Nathan  Felton,  1799  ; when  John  Hobart 
purchased  it,  and  carried  it  on  with  great  success  till  about 
1817.  When  he  first  took  it,  it  contained  but  two  front- 
rooms  and  a kitchen  and  bedroom  in  the  body  of  the  house. 
He  enlarged  it  from  time  to  time  to  its  present  size.  He  sold 
the  estate  to  Alpheus  Smith ; under  whom  Aaron  Morse  occu- 
pied as  a tenant  until  his  removal  to  New  Haven  about  1822. 

Mr.  George  Bruce  kept  a tavern  in  the  Mount-Pleasant 
House  after  the  removal  of  Major  Swan ; and,  during  the 
Revolution,  Abner  Dunbar  kept  as  a tavern  the  house  stand- 
ing opposite  the  Mower  Place  on  Mount  Pleasant. 

Samuel  Green  kept  a tavern  many  years  in  Greenville,  in 
the  house  next  west  of  the  river. 

Mr.  Hezekiah  Stone  built,  and  for  several  years  kept,  a hotel 
in  what  is  Clappville,  upon  the  Stafford  and  Worcester  Turn- 
pike."^ 

There  is  one  class  of  memorials  often  met  with,  connected 
with  the  history  of  the  town,  which  I ought  not  to  pass  over 
unnoticed,  — the  cellars  of  dwelling-houses,  which,  with  their 
occupants,  have  long  since  disappeared.  Many  of  these  were 
constructed  before  the  highways  of  the  town  had  been  laid 
out,  and  are  now  remote  from  other  settlements  or  travelled 
ways. 

The  quiet  and  sequestered  spots  in  which  some  of  them 


* When  speaking  of  Clappville,  it  should  have  been  stated  that  a post-office  was 
established  there  in  1824,  and  the  Kev.  Mr.  Muenscher  was  appointed  the  first  post- 
master. After  him  was  Iklward  L.  Stone;  then  Horace  M’Farland;  and,  in  succession, 
Ibitler  Goodridge,  Abraham  Firth,  Keuben  S.  Denny,  George  Roberts,  and  the  present 
incumbent  (Samuel  L.  Stone). 

There  was  a post-office  established  in  Cherry  Valley  in  18r>9;  and  Harvey  Tainter, 
Esq.,  appointed  postmaster. 


22 


170 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


are  found,  indicate  much  taste  in  their  original  selection; 
and  outlines  of  gardens  and  enclosures  hj  which  they  were 
surrounded,  with  occasionally  an  aged  tree  that  shaded  the 
cottage  or  supplied  its  inmates  with  fruit,  remind  one,  that, 
however  humble  they  may  have  been,  they  were  once  the 
abodes  of  men  to  whom  life  had  its  attractions.  Even  if  one 
took  no  interest  in  tracing  the  name  of  him  who  built  or 
occupied  it,  he  could  not  come  upon  the  site  of  one  of  these 
early  dwellings,  nestled  in  some  sheltered  valley  or  looking 
out  from  some  lonely  hillside,  without  being  reminded  that  it 
was  once  a human  habitation  and  a home  ; that  here  some 
one  had  shared  in  what  makes  up  life’s  common  experience  in 
every  age.  Some  young  man  had  brought  hither,  in  the  flush 
of  hope  and  pride,  the  happy  bride  he  had  chosen : they  had 
here  begun  life  together.  Here  children  had  played  and  grown 
up,  and  gone  forth  to  their  several  spheres  of  action  ; and  here, 
too,  death  had  entered,  and  taken  away  the  infant  in  the  morn, 
and  the  old  man  in  the  evening,  of  life. 

If  thoughts  and  emotions  like  these  might  be  awakened  by 
such  an  object,  when  only  excited  by  the  associations  of  a 
common  nature,  it  surely  cannot  be  foreign  from  a work  like 
this  to  give  these  objects  a passing  notice,  when  they  are 
associated,  many  of  them,  with  the  names  and  events  which 
make  up  the  town’s  history. 

They  are  interesting  in  another  point  of  view.  They 
indicate,  by  the  very  humble  dimensions  of  the  houses,  the 
condition  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town,  in  respect  to  com- 
fort and  convenience.  The  names  of  their  occupants  and  the 
numbers  of  their  children,  as  shown  in  the  genealogies  of 
their  families,  present  a singular  disproportion  between  the 
capacity  of  their  houses  and  the  number  of  persons  they 
were  made  to  accommodate. 

Most  of  these  houses  were  a single  story  in  height,  and 
few  of  them  contained  more  than  a couple  of  rooms,  and  per- 
haps a projecting  bed-room,  in  this  story ; and  the  inventories 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


171 


of  the  furniture  they  contained  were  as  meagre  as  the  pro- 
portions of  their  rooms  were  small. 

They  illustrate  the  social  history  of  the  first  and  succeeding 
generation  which  planted  and  subdued  the  soil  of  Leicester. 
One  of  these  is  on  Dix  Hill,  so  called,  in  the  north-west  part 
of  the  town,  where  Benjamin  Dix  lived  from  previous  to  1744 
till  after  1759.  On  the  west  side  of  Shaw  Pond  is  another, 
where  Joseph  Shaw  lived,  which  was  built  about  1748.  It  was 
used  as  a hospital  or  pest-house  about  the  time  of  the  Revo- 
lution. 

There  are  two  on  the  east  side  of  Shaw  Pond.  In  one  of 
these,  John  Cummings  lived.  He  married  Rachel  Snow,  1752. 
In  the  other,  which  is  about  a quarter  of  a mile  east  from  the 
first,  Robert  Woodward  lived  in  1740.  There  is  one  west  of 
George  S.  Bond’s  house,  where  John  Converse  lived  in  1729, 
as  I suppose;  and,  after  him,  his  son  Joshua,  who  was  living 
there  in  1776. 

At  the  corner  of  the  Eddy  Road,  so  called,  near  the 
North-west  Schoolhouse,  is  the  cellar  of  the  house  in  which 
Robert,  the  father  of  Sally  Bradish,  mentioned  in  this  work, 
lived;  and  afterwards  Seth  Washburn,  jun.,  son  of  Col.  Seth, 
just  before  the  Revolution.  His  blacksmith-shop  stood  near 
it. 

In  1755,  Benjamin  Woodward  built  a house,  the  cellar  of 
which  remains,  about  thirty  rods  east  from  the  road  leading  to 
Zolva  Green’s,  and  about  a quarter  of  a mile  from  the  Whitte- 
more  Road,  as  it  is  called.  His  son  Jesse  lived  there  after 
him  ; and,  in  1776  it  was  occupied  by  a Widow  Sawin.  Dea- 
con John  Whittemore  built  his  first  house,  about  1730,  some 
sixty  rods  south-west  from  that  which  he  afterwards  built, 
wliere  his  son  .Joseph  lived.  A house  once  stood  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road  leading  to  the  Whittemore  Sawmill,  in  which 
Hiram  Newhall  was  living  about  1764.  Joseph  Sprague,  the 
first  of  the  name  in  town,  built  a house  which  stood  near 
the  one  in  which  his  son,  Caj)t.  William,  lived.  The  house  of 


17*2 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Dudley  Wade  Swan,  in  1736,  stood  near  the  present  house 
of  Mr.  Sturtevant,  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town.  Reuben 
Swan  lived  there  in  1776.  John  Potter,  as  early  as  1730,  lived 
in  a house  that  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  a little 
west  of  where  Jonah  Earle  lived.  Joseph  Trumbull's  house, 
in  1737,  stood  a little  south  of  the  house  of  the  late  Daniel 
Kent.  Xathaniel  Waite  built  his  house,  about  that  time,  where 
his  son  Samuel  afterwards  built  the  house  in  which  he  lived. 
The  house  of  Deacon  James  Southgate  was  standing,  in  1730, 
on  the  knoU  a little  north  of  the  house  of  David  Morton ; and 
the  house  of  his  brother  Richard  stood  upon  the  upper  side 
of  the  old  Country  Road,  a little  north-west  of  where  Capt. 
John  lived  and  died.  On  the  knoll  west  of  the  brick  factory 
and  of  the  pond,  the  house  of  Nathaniel  Sargent  stood,  about 
1750.  The  cellar  on  the  west  side  of  the  Sylvester  Road, 
about  sixty  rods  from  the  Great  Road,  was  the  residence  of 
Joseph,  and  afterwards  of  his  son  Seth  Washburn.  A cellar, 
upon  what  is  called  Ballard  Hill,  about  half  a mile  south  of 
William  Silvester's,  was  built  by  George  Cradock,  Esq.,  for 
the  tenant  of  his  farm,  and  afterwards  occupied  by  Zaccheus 
Ballard,  who  came  from  Framingham  in  1770.  The  house 
was  burned  before  the  Revolution. 

Capt.  Isaac  Southgate  was  born  in  a house  occupied  by  his 
father,  which  stood  in  the  pasture  about  sixty  rods  north-west 
from  the  house  of  the  late  Peter  Silvester.  Where  Benjamin 
Earle’s  house  now  stands,  there  was  once  a house,  in  which 
Mr.  Lynde  lived,  and  after  him  Abner  Dunbar  kept  a tavern. 
It  was  occupied  by  Elijah  Howe  in  1776.  On  the  Oxford  Road, 
nearly  in  front  of  Mrs.  Hobart’s,  stood  a small  house,  formerly 
occupied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goddard  : afterwards  by  Joshua 
Crossman  in  1776.  A Mr.  Kane  had  a small  bouse  where  Ira 
Bond’s  now  stands  ; and  a little  farther  south  stood  the  house 
of  Mr.  Bowker,  on  the  same  side  of  the  road.  In  a lot  west  of 
Eber  Bond’s  house  was  the  house  of  Mr.  Barnes,  occupied 
bv  James  Graton  in  1776.  Matthew  Watson^s  house,  built  by 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


173 


him  in  1720,  stood  about  sixty  rods  north-east  of  Deacon 
Lyon’s,  on  land  now  of  Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq.  Samuel  Wat- 
son’s house  was  built  early,  and  stood  on  the  hill  south  of  that 
of  his  son  Benjamin,  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  town. 

Xone  of  these,  it  is  believed,  have  been  standing  within 
the  recollection  of  any  person  now  living.  In  some  cases, 
they  have  given  place  to  more  commodious  and  convenient 
dwellings ; in  others,  they  were  suffered  to  go  to  decay,  and 
were  abandoned.  It  was  by  the  diligence  and  research  of 
the  one  who  prepared  the  map  of  the  town,  which  accom- 
panies this  work,  that  I trace  their  history. 

I add,  from  the  same  authority,  a few  of  the  houses  which 
have  disappeared  within  the  recollection  of  living  witnesses. 
Among  these  was  the  house  of  Col.  Samuel  Denny,  on  Moose 
Hill,  built  in  1756,  and  taken  down  about  1817.  The  house 
occupied  by  Robert  Woodward  in  1750,  by  Benjamin  Liv- 
ingston in  1776,  and  by  sundry  others  prior  to  Joel  Marsh, 
its  last  occupant,  stood  about  half  a mile  north-west  from 
Joseph  Whittemore’s.  The  house  of  Azariah  Eddy,  near  the 
Xorth-west  Schoolhouse,  was  originally  built  by  Benjamin 
Converse,  and  was  occupied  by  him  in  1776.  Capt.  John 
Holden’s  house  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rutland  Road, 
about  a mile  and  a quarter  from  the  Meeting-house.  It  was 
built  by  Joseph  Sprague,  and  occupied  by  his  son  Timothy  in 
1776.  The  house  in  which  Peter  Silvester  lived  in  1776, 
and  afterwards  occupied  by  Adam  Gilmore,  was  upon  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill,  upon  the  north  side 
of  the  road,  where  there  is  still  a cellar.  Benjamin  Vickery’s 
house  was  below  that,  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  road. 

The  house  of  Daniel  Denny,  which  he  built  about  1725, 
stood  upon  the  top  of  Denny  Hill,  then  called  Xurse’s,  upon 
the  east  side  of  the  road,  where  a barn  now  stands.  He  died 
there  in  1765.  Capt.  Xathaniel  Harwood  lived  in  a house 
opposite  the  house  of  William  Silvester.  The  house  of 
James  Harwood  stood  about  half  a mile  west  of  Eber  Bomrs. 


174 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Jonas  Livermore  built  a house,  before  the  Ee volution,  upon 
the  west  side  of  the  road,  at  the  southerly  foot  of  the  Liver- 
more Hill.  It  was  afterwards  occupied  by  Isaac  Livermore, 
and  subsequently  by  Joseph  Washburn. 

The  house  of  Elder  Eichard  Southgate,  in  which  he  was 
living  in  1776,  and  in  which  he  died,  stood  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  road  leading  by  William  Silvester’s,  and  near  the 
line  of  Spencer.  There  are  several  other  spots,  once  occu- 
pied by  dw'elling-houses,  which  are  noticed  in  other  connec- 
tions in  this  work. 

I have  had  occasion,  more  than  once,  to  allude  to  the 
changes  which  have  taken  place  in  the  families  that  have  at 
some  time  formed  a part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and 
the  great  numbers  who  have  disappeared  from  it  by  remo- 
val. Some  of  these  I can  now  trace,  though  their  number  is 
small ; and  it  seems  in  keeping  with  the  rest  of  the  work  to 
mention  them  here. 

John  Browm,  and  Francis  and  Isaac  Choate,  removed  to 
Ohio  early  in  its  history.  Quite  a number  emigrated  to  Ver- 
mont when  it  was  settled.  Among  them,  Jabez  Paine  went 
to  Westminster;  Asa  Washburn  (son  of  Col.  Seth),  Samuel 
Sargent  (who  had  married  his  sister),  John  Hodgkins  (who 
had  married  another  sister),  Ebenezer  Saunderson,  Israel 
Saunderson,  and  Abijah  Stowers,  went  to  Putney ; Hezekiah 
Saunderson,  to  Westminster  ; Eichard  Southgate,  son  of  El- 
der Eichard,”  and  his  three  sons,  with  Thomas,  Willard,  and 
Aaron,  sons  of  Nathan  Lamb,  went  to  Bridgewater ; the 
father  went  to  Corinth  ; Isaac,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  Green, 
went  to  Windsor  ; Dr.  Edward  Lamb,  to  Montpelier ; Thomas 
Hammond,  to  Orwell ; Samuel  Upham,  to  Calais  ; Benjamin 
Livingston  went  to  Townsend,  and  James  to  Peacham  ; Gen. 
Lyman  Mower  and  Amos  Warren  went  to  Woodstock  ; Wil- 
liam, Elias,  and  Ezra  Kent,  sons  of  Ebenezer,  and  John  Earle, 
Daniel  Hubbard,  and  his  son  Jonathan,  went  to  Wallingford  ; 
Joseph  Cerley,  to  Whitingham ; and  Elias  Greene  and  family, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


175 


to  Cambridge.^*  Most  of  these  had  families,  who  removed 
with  them. 

Robert  Henry  and  family,  and  Ezra  Silvester,  went  to 
Charleston,  N.H.  Among  those  who  removed  to  Maine 
were  Asa  Green  and  family,  to  Deer  Isle,  in  1797  ; and  Wil- 
liam Paine,  Benjamin  Watson,  jun.,  and  Clark  Works,  with 
their  families,  to  Mercer. 

Reuben  Earle,  son  of  William,  went  to  German  Flats,  N.Y. ; 
John,  another  son,  to  Herkimer ; and  Oliver,  his  brother,  to 
Vermont;  so  did  Nathan,  George,  and  Esek,  sons  of  Robert 
Earle  ; Sylvanus,  son  of  Thomas  Earle,  and  his  family,  went 
to  Ohio  in  1816 ; so  did  Daniel,  Reuben,  and  Homer,  sons  of 
James  Earle ; Joseph  Sprague  went  to  Brooklyn,  N.Y. ; Otis, 
his  brother,  to  Indiana,  afterwards  to  Wisconsin;  John  and 
Otis,  sons  of  John  Hobart,  and  Theodore  Y.,  son  of  Joseph 
Denny,  went  to  Indianapolis  ; Ebenezer  D.  Washburn,  to  Ala- 
bama ; Joseph,  his  brother,  to  Georgia ; Joshua,  son  of  David 
Henshaw, went  to  Ohio, but  returned  late  in  life  to  Leicester; 
Andrew  went  to  Alabama;  Jonathan  Bond,  to  the  western 
part  of  New  York;  James,  son  of  Thomas  Mower,  went  to 
New  York  in  1792;  Dr.  Andrew  Denny,  son  of  Nathaniel  P., 
to  Alabama ; and  Samuel  and  Bloomfield  Parsons,  sons  of 
Solomon,  to  Louisiana ; Samuel  Whittemore,  son  of  James, 
with  his  family,  removed  to  the  State  of  New  York ; John 
Sprague,  son  of  Timothy,  with  his  family,  went  to  the  State 


* For  the  account  of  the  emigrants  to  Vermont,  I am  much  indebted  to  Hon.  Reu- 
ben Washburn,  who  is  noticed  among  the  native  graduates  of  college.  Upon  his 
authority,  I am  happy  to  state  that  the  emigrants  to  Vermont  from  Leicester  were 
generally  a hardy,  robust,  industrious,  frugal,  and  enterprising  set  of  men  ; and  they 
and  their  descendants  have  contributed  their  full  share  to  the  prosperity  of  the  State, 
and  to  its  character  for  general  intelligence  and  a spirit  of  independence.  I might 
mention  among  them  Thomas  Hammond,  Judge  of  Rutland  County  ; Gen.  Mower, 
first  President  of  the  Woodstock  Bank,  — a man  distinguished  for  enterprise  and  public 
spirit;  and  Dr.  Lamb,  who  attained  great  eminence  in  his  profession.  William  Upham 
is  mentioned  in  another  place,  a senator  in  Congress. 

The  contemporaries  of  tliese  emigrants,  as  many  may  now  remember,  always  spoke 
of  Vermont  as  the  “new  State;”  sucli  being  the  term  by  which  it  had  once  been 
known  to  them. 


176 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


of  Noav  York ; Dr.  Robert  Southgate  went  to  Scarborough, 
Me. ; David  and  Isaac,  sons  of  Samuel  Denny,  settled  in 
Vermont;  Billings  Hobart  now  lives  in  Charleston,  Va. ; 
Thomas  Denny,  son  of  Col.  Thomas,  in  the  city  of  New 
York;  Elijah  Washburn  and  Joseph,  sons  of  Elijah,  and 
nephews  of  Col.  Seth,  removed  to  Hancock,  N.H. ; Seth,  son 
of  Seth,  and  grandson  of  Col.  Washburn,  went  to  Lansing- 
burg,  N.Y. ; Asahel  Washburn,  nephew  of  Col.  Seth,  and 
family,  went  to  Greensborough,  Yt.,  in  1801.  Among  others 
who  removed  to  Vermont  were  Joseph  and  John  Lynde  ; 
William,  son  of  Richard  Bond,  and  Stephen  Sargent  ; Wil- 
liam Sargent,  son  of  Jonathan,  jun.,  went  to  Canada;  Capt. 
William  Todd,  to  Keene,  N.H.;  Hartwell  and  Denny  Hay- 
ward, sons  of  John,  went  to  Nev  York;  so  did  Edward 
Westly,  Phinehas  Barton,  jun.,  Samuel  Sargent,  and  his  son 
Samuel,  jun.,  with  their  families  ; Benjamin  Tucker  removed 
to  New  Hampshire  in  1765  ; James  Scott,  with  his  father 
Andrew,  went  to  Pennsylvania ; Charles  and  Z.  S.  M.  Hersey, 
to  Canada. 

I have  not  attempted  to  enumerate  those  who  have  removed 
from  Leicester  to  other  towns  in  Massachusetts.  Many  of 
them  have  made  their  mark  in  the  places  in  which  they 
have  settled,  in  the  several  departments  of  business  and  pur- 
suits in  life  in  which  they  have  been  engaged,  and  reflected 
credit  upon  their  native  home.  And  it  may  not  be  inappro- 
priate to  remark  in  this  connection,  that,  of  the  presidents 
of  banks  in  Boston,  Henry  B.  Stone,  Esq.,  late  of  the  Suffolk  ; 
Hon.  Waldo  Flint,  of  the  Eagle ; and  Daniel  Denny,  Esq.,  of 
the  Hamilton,  — were  natives  of  the  town ; while  one  of  the 
collectors  of  that  port  (Hon.  David  Henshaw)  was  also  born 
there. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


177 


CHAPTER  VI. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 

PROFESSIONAL  MEN.  — GRADUATES  AT  COLLEGE.  — PUBLIC  MEN. — 

ARTISTS. 

In  attempting  to  present  personal  notices  of  individuals  who 
have  been  connected  with  the  town,  it  cannot  be  expected 
that  I should  confine  myself  to  such  only  as  have  been  known 
in  eminent  and  distinguished  positions,  and  in  the  relations 
of  public  office  or  place.  My  aim  is  free  from  all  such  pre- 
tence ; as  the  sketches  I shall  attempt  to  offer  are  designed 
only  to  illustrate  the  proper  local  history  which  I am  attempt- 
ing to  embody.  Among  these  are  the  public  and  professional 
men ; exclusive,  of  course,  j)f  the  clergymen,  who  have  al- 
ready been  spoken  of 

Of  those  who  have  been  judges  of  courts,  the  first  in  order 
of  time  was  John  Minzies.  He  removed  here  from  Roxbury 
in  1720,  and  became  a large  landed  proprietor  in  the  town. 
He  lived  in,  and  undoubtedly  built,  the  house  upon  the 
Henshaw  Place  which  recently  belonged  to  the  Hon.  David 
; Henshaw.  He  was  a Scotch  gentleman,  educated  for  the 
i bar,  and  a member  of  the  Faculty  of  Advocates  in  Edinburgh, 
j He  was  appointed,  by  the  crown.  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Admiralty  for  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and  Rhode 
I Island  ; and  arrived  in  Boston,  in  the  ship  Samuel,’’  in 
1 December,  1715,  bringing  with  him  his  commission.  He 
I settled  in  Roxbury ; where  he  probably  became  associated 
} with  some  of  the  leading  proprietors  of  Leicester,  and  was 
i induced  to  take  up  his  residence  in  this  then  almost  un- 
broken wilderness. 


23 


178 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  next  year,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  the 
General  Court,  receiving  the  cordial  thanks  of  his  constitu- 
ents as  the  compensation  for  his  services ; and  was  re-elected, 
upon  the  like  advantageous  terms,  in  1722,  ’23,  and  ’25. 

His  political  career  was  brought  to  a sudden  and  untimely 
end  by  the  action  of  the  House  in  expelling  him  from  that 
body.  The  reason  of  this  harsh  measure  was  his  having 
written  home  letters  to  the  Lords  Commissioners,  in  which 
he  complained  of  the  manner  in  which  the  courts  of  the  Pro- 
vince interfered  with  the  jurisdiction  of  his  own  court  by 
issuing  prohibitions  to  suitors  from  prosecuting  their  claims 
before  him ; and  saying  it  was  impossible  to  get  a jury  of  the 
country  to  do  justice  to  the  king  in  trials  involving  the  rights 
and  authority  of  the  crown. 

This  coming  to  the  ears  of  the  Legislature,  he  was  arraigned 
before  the  House  to  answer  to  the  charge  ; but,  so  far  from 
denying  it,  he  re-iterated  the  charge,  and  insisted  that  it  was 
fully  justified  by  the  facts,  and  that  he  had  done  no  more  than 
his  duty  required  of  him.  As  he  declined  to  apologize,  the 
House  voted  to  expel  him. 

The  following  year,  he  removed  to  Boston ; where  he  died, 
in  September,  1728,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  a friend  of  Dr.  Douglass  the  historian,  from  whom 
he  borrowed  money ; and  had  pecuniary  dealings  with  Gov. 
Shute,  and  the  Hon.  Bobert  Byng,  the  Receiver-General  of 
the  Admiralty  in  England.  Like  so  many  of  his  contempo- 
raries, he  seems  to  have  entered  largely  into  the  land  specula- 
tions of  the  day. 

He  was  interested  in  other  new  townships  besides  Leicester. 
In  the  settlers’  deed  of  the  latter  he  is  named  as  a grantee ; 
having  purchased  Lot  No.  25,  which  had  been  originally  as- 
signed to  Thomas  Hollioke.  By  virtue  of  this  right,  he 
became  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres,  where  he  lived ; 
and  afterwards  purchased  the  rights  of  Capt.  Baker  in  Lot 
No.  34 ; and  of  Samuel  Prince,  father  of  Rev.  Mr.  Prince  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


179 


annalistj  in  Lot  No.  87 ; which,  with  other  purchases,  made 
him,  at  one  time,  owner  of  more  than  sixteen  hundred  acres 
in  the  town. 

His  speculations  did  not  turn  out  successful.  He  was 
obliged  to  mortgage  his  estates  heavily ; and,  after  his  death, 
his  widow  Katherine,  as  his  administratrix,  sold  his  lands  for 
the  payment  of  his  debts. 

The  body  of  water  adjoining  his  estate  was  designated,  in 
the  early  plans  of  the  town,  the  J udge’s  Pond,’’  from  the 
title  of  honor  with  which  he  was  always  spoken  of  by  his 
contemporaries. 

He  left  no  children ; and,  upon  the  death  of  his  widow,  the 
family  became  extinct  in  Massachusetts. 

Thomas  Steele  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Steele,  who  pur- 
chased Judge  Menzies’  estate  after  his  death.  He  was  born 
in  Boston:  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1730,  ranking  fourth  in 
the  class,  on  the  score  of  family  dignity ; Chief-J ustice  Oliver 
standing  at  the  head  of  the  class.  He  was  bred  a mer- 
chant, and  pursued  the  business  of  trade  before  and  after  his 
removal  to  Leicester. 

In  1756,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  for  the  County  of  Worcester  ; and  held  that  office  until 
the  Revolution. 

In  1752,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  the  Gene- 
ral Court ; and  was  re-elected  in  the  years  ’53,  ’54,  and  ’55. 

In  1761,  he  was  elected  town -clerk,  and,  by  annual  elec- 
tion, held  the  office  till  1769;  and  the  records  of  the  town 
furnish  evidence  of  the  beauty  of  his  chirography,  and  the 
fidelity  with  which  he  recorded  the  transactions  of  the  town, 
many  of  which  must  have  been  very  little  in  unison  with  his 
own  political  sentiments. 

He  was  a firm  loyalist  in  his  feelings  and  opinions,  though 
he  was  probably  prudent  enough  not  to  provoke  censure  by 
the  too  free  expression  of  them.  Besides  this,  his  daughter 
having  married  so  thorough  and  tried  a patriot  as  Joseph 


ISO 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Alien;  and  another  having  married  Dr.  John  Honyvrood  (who 
early  entered  into  the  army),  would  have  formed  a pledge 
of  fidelity  to  his  country,  which  must  have  gone  far  to  disarm 
the  jealousy  of  his  neighbors. 

He  lived  in  various  places  in  town  ; probably,  for  some 
time,  at  first  at  the  Henshaw  Place.  At  one  time,  he  lived 
and  did  business  in  the  large  old  house  which  he  built,  and 
which  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill,  at  the 
intersection  of  Flip  Lane  with  the  Great  Road.  For  some 
time  before  and  after  1776,  he  lived  in  the  Rawson  House,  so 
called,  upon  the  Great  Road,  just  east  of  the  Town-meadow 
Brook.* 

Every  thing  we  can  gather  relative  to  Judge  Steele  leads 
us  to  believe  that  he  was  a man  of  high  respectability  of 
character,  who  possessed  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
though  differing  from  them  in  his  political  sentiments. 

His  father,  who  was  a merchant  in  Boston,  was  also,  at 
times,  called  upon  to  act  in  a judicial  capacity,  though  never 
appointed  to  the  bench.  I find  one  case,  where,  with  Thomas 
Hutchinson,  Thomas  Fitch,  and  Anthony  Stoddard,  he  was 
appointed  Special  Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas  for  Suffolk, 
to  try  an  action  wherein  Chief-Justice  Byfield  of  that  court 
was  a party.  This  was  in  1732. 

Though  possessed  of  a considerable  estate  when  he  removed 
to  Leicester,  Judge  Steele  was  not  a successful  business-man, 
and  had  lost  much  of  his  property  before  he  died. 

One  of  his  daughters,  as  already  mentioned,  married  Hon. 
Joseph  Allen ; another,  Df.  John  Honeywood ; another.  Dr. 
Edward  Rawson ; another,  a Mr.  Hitchcock  of  Brookfield ; 
and  one  (Mary)  survived  them  all,  and  died  unmarried.  He 
had  two  sons,  — Thomas  and  Samuel;  but  no  branch  of  the 
family  has  been  connected  with  the  town  since  the  death  of 
his  daughter  Mary.  Thomas  died  in  1768,  unmarried. 


He  died  there,  of  apoplexy. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


181 


Hon.  Joseph  Dorr  resided  some  years  in  Leicester,  and,  a 
part  or  all  the  time,  occupied  the  house  built  by  Judge  Steele 
at  the  foot  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill.  He  was  a son  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Dorr  of  Mendon ; born  May  24,  1730;  graduated 
at  Harvard  in  1752,  and  studied  divinity.  He  preached  occa- 
sionally for  several  years,  but  does  not  appear  to  have  ever 
been  settled  as  a minister.  He  was  an  active  and  devoted 
friend  to  the  cause  of  the  Colonies  in  the  struggle  with  the 
mother -country,  and  took  an  early  and  leading  part  in  the 
measures  which  resulted  in  their  independence."^ 

While  residing  in  Mendon,  he  was  a magistrate,  a member 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  a member  of  the  Legislature,  and 
a part  of  the  time.  Judge  of  Probate  and  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas.  He  was  one  of  the  first  senators  chosen 
under  the  Constitution  from  the  county  of  Worcester  ; having 
been  elected  in  1780-81  and  ’82. 

In  1776,  he  was  commissioned  as  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  for  the  county  of  Worcester;  which  office  he 
resigned  in  1801.  In  U82,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  Pro- 
bate to  succeed  Judge  Lincoln,  and  held  the  office  till  Novem- 
ber, 1800;  when  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Judge 
Paine.  He  removed  to  Ward  (now  Auburn)  between  1784 
and  1790,  and  resided  there  a while. 

I am  unable  to  state  the  time  of  his  removing  to  Leicester, 
or  of  his  leaving  there.  He  was  there  in  1797  and  1798  ; and, 
as  the  records  indicate,  removed  to  Brookfield  in  1802,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  till  his  death,  Oct.  31,  1808,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight. 

The  offices  which  Judge  Dorr  was  called  to  fill,  and  the 
general  respect  in  which  he  was  lield,  furnish  the  strongest 
evidence  of  his  character  and  abilities  as  a citizen,  and  as  a 
man  of  intelligence,  energy,  and  integrity. 


* He  was  one  of  the  commissioners  chosen  by  the  people  to  wait  on  the  Man- 
damns  Cminciilors  for  the  county  of  Worcester  to  demand  a surrender  of  their 
Commissions. 


182 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


He  left  several  children ; among  whom  were  the  late  Hon. 
Samuel  Dorr,  and  Joseph  H.  Dorr,  Esq.,  eminent  and  respec. 
table  merchants  in  Boston. 

Besides  the  above,  William  Ward  of  Southborough,  in 
1731,  was  appointed  a Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 
He  was  a resident  here  in  1721;  was  a surveyor,  and  re- 
moved here  from  Marlborough.  He  afterwards  lived  in 
Southborough ; and  is  spoken  of  in  the  History  of  North- 
borough,”  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen. 

Of  the  Lawyers  who  have  resided  in  the  town,  the  first  in 
order  of  time  was  Christopher  J.  Lawton.  He  took  up  his 
residence  here  in  1735  and,  from  the  best  information  1 can 
gain  of  him,  was  a native  of  Suffield  in  Connecticut. 

A writer  in  the  American  Quarterly  Register,”  No.  15, 
speaks  of  a person  of  this  name  in  this  manner : As  early  as 

1720,  John  Higgins  and  Christopher  J.  Lawton  were  noted 
lawyers  in  Connecticut ; and,  by  their  knowledge  and  worthy 
example,  gave  early  and  honorable  character  to  their  Pro- 
vincial bar.” 

As  the  subject  of  this  notice  could  hardly  have  been  old 
enough  in  1720  to  have  attained  such  distinguished  consider- 
ation, and  as  the  name  is  somewhat  peculiar  and  probably 
a family  one,  I am  led  to  suppose  that  the  person  above  men- 
tioned was  the  father  of  the  one  of  whom  I am  speaking. 
In  fact,  I find  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Hampshire 
County  in  1726,  and  was  practising  his  profession  in  Suffield 
in  1733.  In  1734,  he  was  appointed  a coroner  for  the  county 
of  Hampshire,  though  still  residing  in  Suffield  ; and  continued 
to  reside  there  until  his  removal  to  Leicester  in  1735. 

Had  he  removed  from  Connecticut  into  Hampshire  County, 


* Before  that  time,  the  town  certainly  had  been  made  familiar  with  some  depart- 
ments of  the  law  by  the  suits  and  complaints  to  which  they  were  subjected  by  their 
minister;  and  I find,  besides,  the  following  article  in  a warrant  for  a town-meeting  in 
1724:  “ To  see  if  the  town  will  have  the  law-book  belonging  to  the  town  filled  with  those 
laws  that  are  wanting  in  the  same.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


183 


the  date  of  his  admission  to  the  bar  there  would  not  have 
been  conclusive  as  to  the  time  of  his  beginning  practice. 
But  this  apparent  discrepancy  between  his  place  of  residence 
and  the  county  in  which  he  did  business  is  readily  explained, 
when  it  is  remembered,  that,  from  1713  to  1747,  a tier  of 
towns  now  belonging  to  Connecticut,  embracing  Suffield,  En- 
field, Somers,  and  Woodstock,  were  regarded  as  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts ; and  it  may  be  recollected,  that 
some  of  the  most  important  offices  in  Worcester  County, 
at  its  organization,  were  held  by  persons  residing  in  Wood- 
stock,  which  was  then  a part  of  the  county. 

In  1735,  Mr.  Lawton  purchased  a farm  in  the  westerly  part 
of  the  town,  upon  both  sides  of  the  Great  Road,  of  Josiah 
Converse,  and  Josiah  Converse,  jun.,  who  both,  that  year, 
removed  to  Brookfield.  He  afterwards  resided  upon  that 
farm. 

In  1736,  ’40,  and  ’41,  he  was  a representative  in  the  Gene- 
ral Court.  " 

After  removing  to  Leicester,  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
his  profession ; which  he  continued  until  1751,  though  with 
what  success  I have  no  means  of  forming  a judgment.  He 
conveyed  his  farm  to  his  son.  Dr.  Pliny  Lawton,  in  1753 ; and 
I infer,  from  his  discontinuing  his  profession  and  thus  dispos- 
ing of  his  estate,  that  he  had  become  aged  or  infirm,  and  did 
not  long  survive,  though  I am  unable  to  fix  the  period  of 
his  death. 

He  had  a brother  James,  a saddler,  who  removed  with 
him  into  town  from  Suffield,  and  lived  on  what  used  to  be 
called  the  Mower  Place,  on  Mount  Pleasant. 

The  son  will  be  noticed  hereafter,  among  the  physicians. 

The  next  counsellor  and  attorney  at  law  in  town  was  the 
Hon.  Nathaniel  Paine  Denny.  He  was  a son  of  Col.  Samuel 
Denny,  and  was  born  July,  1771.  He  graduated  at  Harvard 
in  1797,  and  studied  his  profession  with  the  Hon.  Nathaniel 
Paine  of  Worcester  ; whose  name  he  assumed,  by  Act  of  tlie 


184 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Legislature,  in  exchange  for  that  of  Thomas,  which  he  had 
received  in  his  infancy.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1800, 
and  opened  an  office  at  once  in  Leicester.  He  married  Sally, 
daughter  of  Reuben  Swan,  in  November,  1798. 

Though  never  eminent  as  a lawyer,  he  practised  the  pro- 
fession with  good  success  for  about  twenty  years,  when 
he  withdrew  from  it  altogether.  For  five  or  six  years  — 
from  1813  — he  was  a partner  in  business  with  Bradford 
Sumner,  Esq.  He  removed  to  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1845, 
where  he  resided  until  about  1854  ; when  he  removed  to 
Barre,  in  the  county  of  Worcester,  where  he  died  in  1856. 
While  a citizen  of  Leicester,  he  shared  liberally  in  the  pub- 
lic favor,  and  was  often  called  to  fill  places  of  public  and 
private  trust. 

From  1803  to  1808,  he  represented  the  town  in  the  General 
Court;  and  was  elected  to  the  same  place  in  1811,  1825,  1828, 
1830,  and  1841.  In  1823,  he  was  chosen  to  the  Senate,  and 
held  the  place  two  years  by  re-election.  From  1815  to  1845, 
he  was  a member  of  the  Board  of  Trust  of  Leicester  Academy  ; 
and  in  1830  was  chosen,  and  for  some  time  held,  the  office  of 
President  of  Leicester  Bank. 

He  was  a man  of  a strong  and  vigorous  mind,  great  shrewd- 
ness and  good  sense ; of  agreeable  and  convivial  manners ; 
and  a pleasant  companion. 

He  built,  and  for  many  years  occupied,  the  house  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Charles  W.  Warren.  He  afterwards  lived  a 
few  years  in  the  house  next  east  of  Mr.  Joseph  Whittemore’s  ; 
then  owned  and  occupied  the  house  where  Mr.  Knowles  lives, 
formerly  occupied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moore ; but,  for  some 
time  before  his  removal  from  town,  he  owned  and  occupied 
the  house  on  the  north  side  of  the  Great  Road,  on  Mount 
Pleasant,  formerly  owned  by  Jonathan  Earle. 

He  left  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  of  the  former 
is  among  the  active  and  enterprising  business-men  of  the 
place.  The  other  children  have  removed  from  the  town, — 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


185 


one  son  residing  in  Alabama,  one  daughter  in  Indiana,  and 
another  in  Cambridge. 

Bradford  Sumner  removed  to  Leicester  from  Spencer, 
where  he  had  been  a short  time  in  business,  in  1813.  Soon 
after  his  removal  here,  he  married  Miss  Amelia  Bertody  of 
Wrentham,  July,  1813.  He  remained  here  until  October, 
1820,  when  he  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  continued  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  until  his  death ; though,  for  several 
years,  his  residence  was  in  Cambridge. 

He  was  born  in  Taunton,  1783;  was  graduated  at  Brown 
University  in  1808  ; was  two  years  a tutor  in  that  institution  ; 
and  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1812.  He  died  Sept.  25,  1855, 
aged  seventy-three ; and,  in  the  published  notice  of  his 
death,  is  spoken  of  as  an  honorable  and  upright  lawyer 
of  the  Suffolk  Bar.” 

He  was  a diligent  student  in  his  profession,  and  obtained 
a very  respectable  rank  at  a bar  which  has  always  been 
eminent  for  men  of  distinguished  ability  ; was  a good  mana- 
ger of  causes,  a neat  speaker,  and  an  effective  advocate, 
without  pretending  to  the  higher  powers  of  eloquence.  He 
was  a courteous  and  agreeable  gentleman  in  manners,  and 
an  intelligent  and  pleasant  companion  in  social  life ; a man 
of  literary  taste,  and  a good  degree  of  literary  culture ; and 
for  a short  time  was  principal  of  the  Academy,  while  residing 
in  Leicester. 

David  Brigham  was  in  practice  here  a little  more  than 
two  years  ; having  removed  here  from  New  Braintree  in  1817. 
He  was  a native  of  Shrewsbury  ; born  Aug.  15,  178G  ; and  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1810.  While  fitting  for  college  at 
the  Academy,  he  taught  the  Centre  School  in  Leicester  one 
winter,  in  1805-6. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  New  Braintree. 
Thence  he  came  to  Leicester ; and,  after  remaining  here 
something  over  two  years,  removed  to  Crcenfield.  While 
in  Leicester,  he  was  employed  for  a single  term  as  a teacher 

24 


186 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


in  the  Academy.  In  Greenfield,  he  was  a partner  in  business 
with  the  Hon.  Samuel  C.  Allen ; and  there  married  a daughter 
of  Jerome  Ripley,  Esq. 

After  several  years’  residence  in  that  town,  he  removed  to 
Shrewsbury,  and  practised  his  profession  there  a Avhile.  From 
thence  he  removed  to  Fitchburg,  where  he  was  in  business 
for  several  years.  He  was  then  induced  to  remove  to  Iowa  ; 
where  he  died,  in  1843,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven. 

Though  never  successful  in  his  profession  to  an  extent 
that  his  talents  and  industiy  would  have  seemed  to  warrant, 
he  was  a good  scholar,  with  literary  tastes,  amusing  and 
agreeable  qualities  ; and  is  pleasantly  remembered  by  those 
who  knew  him  during  his  brief  sojourn  here. 

Daniel  Knight  took  up  his  residence  here  in  the  autumn 
of  1821.  His  health  was  feeble,  and  a pulmonary  consump- 
tion had  begun  to  develop  itself  in  his  system  before  his 
removal  here.  He  was  a native  of  Worcester;  was  gra- 
duated at  Brown  University  in  1813  ; studied  laAv  with 
Gov.  Lincoln;  and  commenced  business  in  Spencer  in  1817. 
He  was  unable  to  attend  to  business  after  a year  or  two 
after  his  removal  to  Leicester;  and  died,  unmarried,  Aug.  30, 
1826. 

He  was  an  amiable,  upright  man,  of  refined  taste  and  re- 
spectable attainments,  but  too  early  a victim  of  disease  to 
develop  his  powers  by  study  or  by  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. 

Emory  Washburn  was  in  practice  here  from  Sept.  29, 1821, 
to  March  28,  1828  ; when  he  removed  to  Worcester.  He  was 
born  here,  Feb.  14,  1800 ; graduated  at  Williams  College  in 
1817  ; and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  March,  1821. 

Waldo  Flint  succeeded  Mr.  Washburn  in  the  practice  of 
the  law,  in  Leicester,  in  1828.  He  was  a native  of  the  town, 
a son  of  Dr.  Austin  Flint;  was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1814. 
He  was  employed  one  year  as  a preceptor  in  the  Academy. 
He  studied  his  profession  principally  with  the  lion.  Lewis 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


187 


Strong  of  Northampton ; and  commenced  business  in  Boston 
in  1818,  where  he  remained  until  his  removal  to  Leicester. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Senate,  and,  a part  of  the  time,  pre- 
sident of  that  body.  He  afterwards  held  the  office  of  bank- 
commissioner  for  one  year,  when  he  was  induced  to  accept  a 
lucrative  and  responsible  position  in  the  Eagle  Bank  in  Boston  ; 
of  which  institution  he  afterwards  became  and  is  now  presi- 
dent. This  led  to  his  removal  to  Boston  in  1839,  where  he 
still  resides. 

In  June,  1828,  he  married  Miss  Katherine  Dean  of  Charles- 
ton, N.H. ; and  lived  in  the  house  now  belonging  to  Mr. 
John  Woodcock,  which  he  erected.  He  represented  the  town 
in  the  Legislature  in  the  years  1830  and  1833. 

Silas  Jones  was,  for  a while,  in  the  practice  of  the  law 
in  town,  after  Mr.  Flint  had  given  it  up ; but  the  change  in 
respect  to  professional  business  generally  in  the  county,  after 
the  year  1820,  was  such  as^to  be  gradually  withdrawing  itself 
from  the  towns  bordering  upon  Worcester  to  that  as  a focal 
point,  and  to  render  its  practice  less  and  less  lucrative. 
The  effect  was,  that  the  emoluments  of  the  business  in 
Leicester  ceased  to  be  sufficient  to  support  a lawyer  there  ; 
and,  after  a brief  period,  Mr.  Jones  removed  to  New  York. 
He  was  a son  of  Mr.  Phineas  Jones  of  Spencer.  He  was 
never  graduated  at  college.  He  studied  his  profession  chief- 
ly witli  Mr.  Sumner,  before  mentioned ; and  had  been  in  busi- 
ness in  Connecticut  before  removing  to  Leicester. 

physicians. 

The  first  person  who  settled  in  Leicester  as  a j)liysician 
was  Dr.  Thomas  CtUEEN;  whom  I have  already  mentioned  in 
another  part  of  this  work. 

John  Honey  wood  was  liere  before  1753.  He  was  born  in 
England  ; but  at  what  time  he  came  to  tin’s  country,  I am 
unable  to  determine.  He  taught  a school  here  three  and  a 


188 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


half  quarters  in  1753.  In  1761,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Judge  Steele.  He  lived  about  half  a mile  west 
of  the  Meeting-house,  in  a house  formerly  Judge  Steele’s, 
afterwards  that  of  Edward  Rawson,  Esq.  His  reputation  has 
come  down  to  us  as  having  been  a learned  and  skilful  phy- 
sician, and,  although  somewhat  irregular  in  his  habits,  as 
having  held  a high  rank  in  his  profession.  His  early  educa- 
tion and  associations  (although  there  was  a mystery  in  regard 
to  the  circumstances  under  which  he  left  England,  and  it  was 
generally  supposed  he  had  been  there  involved  in  some  poli- 
tical difficulties)  led  him  at  first  to  regard  the  resistance  of 
the  Colonies  to  the  mother-country  as  rash  and  unadvised ; 
and  these  impressions  were  strengthened  by  the  infiuence  of 
Judge  Steele,  his  father-in-law.  But,  it  is  said,  when  he  saw 
the  spirit  with  which  the  people  of  the  Colony  rushed  to 
arms  at  the  time  of  the  Lexington  alarm,  he  was  convinced 
that  he  had  been  mistaken,  and,  in  language  rather  strong  to 
he  repeated,  expressed  his  belief  that  they  would  fight,  and, 
what  was  more,  that  they  would  not  be  conquered.  At  any 
rate,  he  evinced  his  devotion  to  the  cause  by  entering  the 
army  as  a surgeon  ; and  died  while  in  the  service,  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  in  November,  1776.  He  had  four  children;  one  of 
whom  was  St.  John  Honeywood,  who  is  hereafter  noticed ; 
one  (Mary)  married  Mr.  Nathaniel  Lyon  of  Woodstock,  for- 
merly of  Leicester ; and  one  (Elizabeth)  married  Samuel 
Allen,  Esq.,  of  Worcester,  in  1810, — for  many  years  the  wor- 
thy and  most  estimable  treasurer  of  the  county.  With  her 
the  name  disappeared,  and  the  family  became  extinct. 

Pliny  Lawton  was  the  son  of  Christopher  J.  Lawton,  Esq., 
already  mentioned  ; was  born  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  and  removed 
with  his  father  to  Leicester  in  1735.  In  1718-9,  he  was  em- 
ployed fifteen  months  in  teaching  school,  though  then  called 
doctor.” 

In  1753,  he  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Sar- 
gent ; and,  in  the  same  year,  purchased  the  farm  on  which  his 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


189 


father  had  lived,  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  But  he 
afterwards  removed  to  the  house  which  Judge  Steele  built, 
at  the  corner  of  Flip  Lane ; where  he  was  residing  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  This,  it  is  supposed,  took  place,  from  the  fact 
that  his  inventory  was  returned  in  February,  1761,  about  the 
close  of  the  year  1760.  He  died  of  the  small-pox ; and  so 
great  was  the  terror  which  that  disease  created  at  that 
period,  that  he  was  not  allowed  to  be  buried  in  the  general 
cemetery,  but  in  his  own  field,  on  the  east  side  of  Flip  Lane, 
about  twenty  rods  from  the  Great  Road,  where  his  head- 
stone was  standing  till  within  a few  years,  though  it  has 
now  wholly  disappeared.  He  had  two  sons,  — James  and 
William.  He  died  in  the  vigor  of  manhood.  His  widow 
married  the  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin  in  1769.  His  son  William 
became  a physician. 

Solomon  Parsons  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  David  Parsons ; 
and  was  born  April  18,  1726.  He  taught  the  school  in  town, 
nearly  a year,  in  1751.  In  1752,  he  married  Elizabeth  Taylor, 
who  was  born  in  1734.*  At  one  time,  he  lived  in  the  house 
opposite  Mrs.  NewhalPs,  half  a mile  north  of  the  Meeting- 
house ; but,  in  1776,  was  living  in  what  was  called  the  Gage 
House,  on  the  road  leading  by  Joseph  Whittemore’s,  opposite 
where  the  road  turns  to  go  to  the  Jabez  Green  Place.  He 
was  a deacon  of  the  church,  as  well  as  a practising  physician  ; 
though  the  remoteness  of  his  residence  from  the  centre  of 
the  town  did  not  indicate  that  his  practice  was  an  extensive 
one.  He  had  three  children;  one  of  whom  (Elizabeth) 
married  Jonathan  Hubbard,  Esq.,  of  Paxton;  at  whose  house 
he  died,  March  20,  1807,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one.  PTis  son 
Solomon  is  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this  work.  His  wife 
died  the  same  year  as  Dr.  Lawton  (1761),  and  of  the  same 
disease  ; and  her  husband  was  obliged,  from  the  terror  that 


* I am  led,  by  the  inspection  of  the  rolls,  to  infer  that  he  was  a surgeon  in 
the  army  in  the  year  1761. 


190 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


it  created,  to  bury  her  by  the  aid  of  a single  assistant,  and 
in  the  night-time. 

Isaac  Green  was  a son  of  the  Dr.  Thomas  Green  already 
mentioned.  He  was  born  in  1741,  and  studied  medicine  with 
his  father.  He  married  Sarah  Howe,  and  built  and  occupied 
the  house  where  Charles  Barton  lives,  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town.  His  professional  practice  was  not  extensive,  nor  did 
he  attain  any  particular  eminence  as  a physician.  He  was 
a surgeon  in  Col.  Samuel  Denny’s  regiment  in  1777 ; and 
marched  to  Saratoga,  and  was  in  the  service  at  the  time  Bur- 
goyne  was  taken.  He  was  much  respected  as  a citizen  of  the 
town ; and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one,  in  November, 
1812.  He  left  two  daughters,  but  no  son. 

Edward  Bawson  was  born  in  Mendon  in  1754,  and  was  the 
son  of  Edward  Rawson,  Esq.  He  commenced  practice  in 
Leicester  in  1782.  He  married  Margaret,  a daughter  of 
Judge  Steele;  and  was  a successor  to  Dr.  Honeywood,  who 
had  married  her  oldest  sister.  He  lived  in  the  house  which 
Judge  Steele  had  occupied,  and  in  which  his  father  after- 
wards lived,  west  of  the  Meeting-house.  He  had  three 
children,  — two  daughters  and  a son  (Benjamin  Pemberton). 
His  wife  died  in  September,  1784;  and  he  in  1786,  at  the 
early  age  of  thirty-two,  just  as  his  character,  and  skill  in  his 
profession,  were  developing  themselves. 

Absalom  Russell  was  in  practice  here  in  1777  and  in 
1781  ; and,  in  the  former  year,  purchased  of  Aaron  Lopez 
the  house  formerly  of  Peter  Silvester,  on  the  east  side  of 
Meeting-house  Hill,  where  there  is  now  a cellar.  How  long 
he  was  in  business  in  the  town,  I have  been  unable  to  ascer- 
tain. He  was  a surgeon  in  Col.  Doolittle’s  twenty-fourth 
regiment  of  Massachusetts  troops,  in  the  “ eight  months’  ser- 
vice,” in  1775.  He  married  Sarah,  a daughter  of  Dr.  Frink 
of  Rutland  ; and  his  daughter  Elizabeth  was  born  here  in 
December,  1778.  She  married  the  Hon.  Lovell  Walker  of 
Templeton.  He  removed  to  Paxton  from  Leicester  after 


t 


i.  l4i  0 z eli  er  s 0 


<1^ * y 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


191 


1781 ; but  at  what  precise  time,  I have  not  ascertained.  His 
Avife  died  at  Rutland,  December,  1801.  Her  husband  had 
died  a short  time  previous.  He  left  two  sons,  — Salario  and 
Absalom. 

Robert  Craige  studied  medicine  Avith  Dr.  Thomas  Green, 
whose  daughter  Martha  he  married  in  1753.  He  was  the 
father  of  Nathan,  mentioned  in  this  work.  He  liAmd  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town.  Hoav  actively  he  Avas  engaged  in  his 
profession,  I am  unable  to  state.  For  many  years  before  his 
death,  he  lived  upon  his  farm. 

Jereaiiah  Darned  was  a practising  physician  here  a feAv 
years.  He  Avas  born  in  Oxford ; settled  here  ; and  died  of  a 
consumption,  at  an  early  age,  in  the  spring  of  1783. 

'William  Lawton,  a son  of  Dr.  Pliny,  studied  medicine,  and 
commenced  business  here  as  a contemporary  Avith  Dr.  Darned. 
He  did  not  remain  long  in  toAvn.  He  occasionally  visited  it 
afterwards  Avith  his  family,  and  Avas  here  in  1788  and  1792  ; 
but  I am  unable  to  state  Avhere  his  residence  was  after  leaving 
Leicester.  He  was  born  April  9,  1759  ; but  I have  not  ascer- 
tained the  time  of  his  death. 

Thomas  Hersey  was  in  practice  here  in  1794.  His  Avife 
Esther  died  that  year,  at  the  age  of  tAventy-tAvo ; but  I am 
unable  to  give  any  further  account  of  him,  except  that  he 
lived  in  the  Avest  part  of  the  toAvn.* 

From  the  brief  notices  Ave  have  given  aboAm  of  the  physi- 
cians Avho  have  been  residents  in  the  toAvn,  it  Avill  be  per- 
ceived, that,  after  the  time  of  Dr.  Thomas  Green,  there  Avere, 
occasionally  at  least,  three  in  practice  here  at  the  same  time. 
A practical  change  in  this  respect  Avas  Avrought  under  tlie  ad- 
ministration of  Austin  Flint.  He  removed  in  A[)ril,  1783,  to 
Leicester  from  Westmoreland,  N. ID,  Avhere  he  began  j>ractice, 
and  lived  for  a short  time. 


* There  was  a Dr.  Thaddeus  Brown  and  wife  who  moved  into  town  from  Taxtoii 
in  1785,  and  lived  in  a house  belon^iiif?  to  Col.  Thomas  Denny.  But  how  long  he 
remained  here,  I have  not  ascertained. 


192 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


He  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Edward  Flint  of  Shrewsbury,  a 
physician  of  eminence  and  extensive  practice,  who  had  been 
a surgeon  in  Col.  Ruggles’s  regiment  in  the  Canada  expedi- 
tion in  1758,  and  afterwards  in  the  Massachusetts  troops  at 
Cambridge  in  1775. 

He  was  born  in  January,  1760  ; and  was,  consequently, 
twenty-three  years  old  when  he  came  into  town.  He  had, 
however,  gone  through  some  of  the  experiences  peculiar  to 
the  young  men  of  that  day.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 
shouldered  his  musket,  and  marched  to  join  the  Northern 
Army  at  Stillwater.  He  served  for  the  term  of  three  months, 
and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  the  7th  October,  1777,  and 
witnessed  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne.  In  that  expedition  he 
belonged  to  Capt.  Ingolsby’s  company,  in  Col.  Job  Cushing’s 
regiment.  In  1781,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  was  sur- 
geon of  Col.  Luke  Drury’s  regiment ; and  was  in  the  service, 
stationed  at  West  Point,  from  July  to  December  of  that  year. 

In  June,  1785,  he  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  Col. 
William  Henshaw ; and,  the  same  year,  erected  the  house  in 
which  he  lived  till  1831 ; when  he  removed  into  the  house  upon 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  in  which  he  died.  His  former 
house  was  taken  down,  and  a new  one  erected  in  its  place,  by 
Mr.  Joshua  Clapp.  But  the  spirit  he  manifested  in  earlier 
life  never  faltered  or  failed  him.  Wherever  public  duty  called, 
he  never  hesitated  to  follow.  In  the  unhappy  outbreak  of 
the  people  of  the  interior  of  Massachusetts  in  1786-7,  he  was 
a firm  and  fearless  supporter  of  the  government ; and  in  Fe- 
bruary, 1787,  joined  Col.  Newhall’s  I'egiment  at  Hadley,  in 
the  words  of  his  journal  of  that  date,  to  help  drive  the 
mobites  home ; ” and  was  in  the  memorable  night-march, 
under  Gen.  Lincoln,  from  Hadley  to  Petersham,  which  re- 
sulted in  dispersing  and  crushing  out  that  ill-advised  enter- 
prise. 

He  commanded  such  confidence  in  his  profession,  that,  for 
many  years,  he  was  not  only  without  a competitor  in  his  own 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


193 


town,  but  was  often  called  into  the  neighboring  towns  in  the 
way  of  his  business. 

As  an  intelligent,  well-informed  man,  of  strong  will  and 
indomitable  courage,  he  could  hardly  fail  to  exercise  a com- 
manding influence  in  the  community  around  him.  Not  only 
was  that  the  case,  but  he  shared  very  generally  the  personal 
confldence  of  his  townsmen : so  that,  during  the  active  period 
of  his  life,  he  was,  almost  constantly,  in  places  of  public  and 
private  trust,  — clerk  of  the  town ; moderator  of  its  meetings  ; 
representative  in  the  Legislature ; appraiser,  executor,  ad- 
ministrator, guardian,  and  the  like ; in  which,  it  is  believed, 
his  fldelity  or  honesty  was  never  called  in  question. 

From  1812  to  1817,  he  was  a representative  in  the  Gene- 
ral Court.  For  twenty  successive  years,  he  was  the  mode- 
rator of  the  town-meetings  ; and  for  flfteen,  I believe,  town- 
clerk.  From  1815  to  1831,  he  was  a member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Academy;  and,  for  some  thirty  years,  an 
acting  magistrate. 

In  the  sick-room  he  was  always  a welcome  visitant,  by 
his  quiet  and  pleasant  cheerfulness  and  humor.  While  exert- 
ing an  acknowledged  influence  over  all  classes,  no  child  ever 
passed  him  in  the  street  without  a kindly  recognition ; and, 
in  his  social  intercourse,  he  was  everywhere  welcome  by  his 
free  and  affable  manners,  and  his  fund  of  anecdote  and  good 
sense. 

He  survived  till  the  29th  of  August,  1850;  retaining  his 
mental  faculties,  and,  when  not  suffering  from  a most  pain- 
ful disease,  his  cheerfulness,  to  the  last.  His  last  entry  in  his 
journal,  a few  days  before  his  death  was,  Appetite  is  gone, 
and  I am  running  down  quite  fast.’’ 

His  wife  died  in  July,  1827,  aged  sixty-three ; but  the  de- 
clining years  of  his  life  were  cheered  by  filial  devotion.  His 
son,  Joseph  H.,  an  eminent  and  skilful  physician,  died  four 
years  before  him.  Dr.  Flint  was  succeeded  in  his  business 
by  his  son, — 


194 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Edward  Flint.  He  commenced  business  here  in  1811.  He 
was  born  in  1789,  Nov.  7.  In  1817,  he  married  Miss  Harriet 
Emerson  of  Norwich,  Vt. ; and  has  a son,  John  Sydenham,  a 
physician  in  Roxbury. 

The  rank  and  position  which  Dr.  Flint  sustains  in  the  com- 
munity have  been  the  natural  result  of  the  many  years  of 
honorable  and  successful  pursuit  of  the  profession  of  his 
choice  to  which  he  devoted  himself. 

Dr.  Jacob  Holmes  came  into  town  in  November,  1834,  from 
Hubbardston ; to  which  town  he  had  removed  from  Athol. 

He  was  born  in  Worcester,  and  studied  his  profession  with 
Dr.  Whiton  of  Winchendon.  He  practised  some  years  in 
Westminster  before  living  in  Athol.  He  purchased  and  occu- 
pied a part  of  the  house  formerly  erected  by  John  Wilder, 
and  afterwards  that  of  Mrs.  Washburn ; where  he  died,  Dec. 

11,  1847,  of  apoplexy,  aged  sixty-nine.  : 

Dr.  Holmes  was  a distinguished  physician,  and  was  justly  ■ 
esteemed  in  his  profession  as  well  as  in  private  life.  He  had 
earned  his  reputation  before  he  left  Athol,  where  a principal  ' 
part  of  the  more  active  period  of  his  life  was  spent ; but  he  . 
had  lived  long  enough  in  his  newly  adopted  home,  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  to  win  the  respect  of  the  people  of  the  town. 

His  daughter,  Catherine  R.,  married  Rev.  Francis  V.  Pike  of 
Rochester,  N.H.,  in  1839,  but  died  soon/after.  His  daughter 
Elizabeth  died  March  29,  1849.  His  wife  alone  survives  of  ; 
the  family.  f 

Several  other  physicians  have  engaged  in  business  here,  for  I 

longer  or  shorter  periods  of  time,  within  a few  years ; among  ^ 

whom  was  the  now  Rev.  Isaac  R.  Worcester  of  Auburndale.  * 

He  married  Mary  S.,  daughter  of  the  late  Col.  Henry  Sar-  f 

gent ; and,  after  having  been  in  practice  here  as  a pli3"sician,  | 

studied  theology,  and  gave  up  his  original  profession.  t 

Dr.  C.  W.  Whitcomb,  after  a year  or  two,  removed  to  4 
Worcester. 

Drs.  James  P.  C.  Cummings  and  E.  A.  Daggett  have  also 


1 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


195 


been  practising  physicians  here,  but  have  removed  from 
town.  Dr.  Cummings  went  to  Fitchburg,  where  he  died 
in  1858 ; and  Dr.  Daggett  returned  to  Maine. 


JUSTICES  OP  THE  PEACE. 

Those  who  have  held  this  office  previous  to  1850,  in  town, 
so  far  as  I have  been  able  to  ascertain,  were  — 


William  Ward  .... 

...  in  1728. 

Thomas  Steele  . . . 

previous  to  1748. 

Daniel  Henshaw  . . . 

....  1773. 

Edmund  Rawson  . . . 

....  1775. 

Hezekiah  Ward  . . . 

....  1782. 

Seth  Washburn  . . . 

....  1784. 

William  Henshaw  . . 

....  1790. 

Quorum,  1799. 

David  Henshaw  . . . 

Joseph  Dorr  ....... 

....  1798. 

Ebenezer  Adams  . . . 

....  1802. 

Thomas  Denny  . . . 

....  1802. 

Nathaniel  P.  Denny  . . 

Quorum,  1815. 

Austin  Flint  .... 

....  1811. 

Bradford  Sumner  . . 

....  1817. 

Emory  Washburn 
Waldo  Flint  . . 

Horatio  G.  Henshaw 
David  Brigham  . 
Daniel  Knight 
Joseph  A.  Denny  . 
Henry  A.  Denny  . 
Cheney  Hatch  . . 

Hiram  Knight  . . 


Besides  the  above,  I have  reason  to  believe  that  Judge 
Minzies,  John  Lynde,  jun.,  Thomas  Denny,  sen.,  Joseph  Hen- 
shaw.  Col.  Samuel  Denny,  and  some  others,  were  commis- 
sioned as  magistrates. 


196 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


GRADUATES  AT  COLLEGES. 

I give  below  the  names  of  all  who  have  become  citizens  of 
Leicester,  and  have  graduated  at  any  college,  so  far  as  they 
have  been  ascertained  : * * * § — 


Rev.  David  Parsons H.  1705. 

Hon.  Thomas  Steele H.  1730. 

Rev.  David  Goddard H.  1731. 

Rev.  Joseph  Roberts H.  1741. 

Col.  Joseph  Henshaw H.  1748, 

Rev.  Benjamin  Conklin N.  J.  1755. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Foster,  D.D.,  . . . . Y.  1771. 

Hon.  Phinehas  Bruce  Y.  1786. 

Ebenezer  Adams,  Esq D.  1791. 

Rev.  Zephaniah  S.  Moore,  D.D.  . . . D.  1793. 

Rev.  Luther  Wilson W.  1807. 

Rev.  John  Nelson,  D.D W.  1807. 

Bradford  Sumner,  Esq B.  1808. 

Rev.  Josiah  Clark W.  1809. 

David  Brigham,  Esq H.  1810. 

John  Richardson,  Esq H.  1813. 

Daniel  Knight,  Esq B.  1813. 

Rev.  Joseph  Muenscher,  D.D.  . * . . B.  1821. 

Luther  Wright,  Esq.  f Y. 

Rev.  Amos  D.  Wheeler.  J W.  1828. 

Joseph  L.  Partridge,  Esq.  § W.  1828. 

Rev.  Samuel  May H.  1829. 

George  F.  Bigelow,  M.D.  II W.  1843. 

Rev.  Andrew  C.  Denison Y.  1847. 

Rev.  Amos  H.  Cooledge A. 


* Several  graduates  of  college  have  been  employed  here  temporarily  as  teachers, 
whose  names  are  omitted,  because  not  coming  within  the  purview  of  the  work, 

t Mr.  Wright  was  preceptor  of  the  Academy  from  1833  to  1839. 

X Mr.  Wheeler  is  minister  of  a society  in  Topsham,  Me. 

§ Mr.  Partridge  was  preceptor  of  the  Academy  from  1839  to  1845. 

II  Now  a ph3'siciau  in  Boston;  son  of  Jacob  Bigelow,  Esq. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


197 


The  following  is,  I believe,  a complete  list  of  the  persons, 
natives  of  Leicester,  who  have  graduated  at  any  college  ; and, 
of  these,  Reuben  Washburn  and  John  F.  Adams  left  town  in 
early  life,  and  were  residing,  one  in  Putney,  and  the  other  in 
Hanover,  when  they  graduated.  The  same  is  true  of  Josiah 
Clark,  whose  home  was  Rutland  when  he  graduated.  St. 
John  Honeywood,  who  is  noticed  in  this  work,  Yale,  1782. 
Nathaniel  P.  Denny,  Harvard,  1797.  Samuel  Swan,  H.,  1799. 
Daniel  Henshaw,  H.,  1806.  Reuben  Washburn,  Dartmouth, 
1808.  Waldo  Flint,  H.,  1814.  John  F.  Adams,  D.,,1817. 
Emory  Washburn,  Williams,  1817.  Josiah  Clark,  son  of  Rev. 
Josiah  Clark,  at  one  time  principal  of  the  Academy  (now 
principal  of  an  academy  in  East  Hampton),  Y.  Thomas 
Denny,  son  of  Col.  Thomas  Denny  (now  of  the  city  of 
New  York),  H.,  1823.  Winthrop  Earle,  son  of  Winthrop,  Y., 
1826.  Andrew  Denny,  M.D.,  son  of  Nathaniel  P.  (now  a 
physician  in  Alabama), Wmherst,  1831.  Joseph  Sargent,  son 
of  Col.  Henry  (now  in  successful  practice  as  a physician  in 
Worcester,  M.D.  and  M.M.S.),  H.,  1834.  Henry  Sargent, 
brother  of  the  above,  M.D.  and  M.M.S.  (late  a physician  in 
Worcester,  deceased),  H.,  1842.  William  A.  Smith,  son  of 
Mr.  John  A.  (now  assistant  clerk  of  the  courts  of  Worces- 
ter), H.,  1843.  John  S.  Flint,  M.D.,  son  of  Dr.  Edward  (a 
physician,  now  in  practice  in  Roxbury),  H.,  1843.  John  N. 
Murdoch,  M.D.,  son  of  Deacon  Joshua  (now  a physician  in 
Paxton),  W.,  1846.  Arthur  S.,  a son  of  Mr.  Henry  A.  Denny, 
Brown,  1854.  John  N.  Meriam,  son  of  Reuben  Meriam,  Am- 
herst. 

It  will  be  perceived,  that,  while  other  professions  and  call- 
ings in  life  have  been  represented  by  these  graduates,  not  one 
has  been  a clergyman. 

Of  the  foregoing  graduates,  a few  deserve  something  more 
than  the  notice  of  their  names. 

Joseph  Henshaw  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Henshaw,  the  first 
of  the  name  who  settled  here.  He  was  born  in  Boston,  1727  ; 


198 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


was  graduated  at  Harvard,  1748  ; and  was  engaged  in  sea- 
faring life,  having  the  command  of  a packet-ship  plying 
between  Boston  and  London. 

In  1755,  he  had  a singular  experience  in  his  nautical  life. 
It  being  a time  of  war  between  England  and  France,  his 
vessel  was  taken  by  a French  frigate,  and  ordered  home  to 
France  as  a prize.  He  was  himself  transferred  to  the  frigate 
which  had  captured  his  vessel.  The  next  day  she  encoun- 
tered an  English  frigate,  and,  after  a severe  engagement  of 
four  hours,  was  herself  taken.  The  English  frigate,  with  its 
prize,  sailed  for  London ; and,  the  next  day  after  her  arrival, 
Mr.  Henshaw’s  vessel,  which  had,  like  himself,  been  retaken, 
arrived  at  the  same  port. 

In  1772,  he  erected  the  house  upon  Mount  Pleasant,  after- 
wards the  seat  of  Major  Swan ; and  removed  into  it,  from 
Boston,  in  the  spring  of  1773.  At  the  commencement  of  hos- 
tilities, he  held  the  office  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment 
commanded  by  Col.  Artemas  Ward,  and  marched  with  it  at 
the  Lexington  alarm  to  Cambridge.  He  remained  there  on 
duty  about  a month  and  a half,  and  applied  for  a similar 
rank  in  the  new  regiment  of  eight-months’  men,  under  the 
same  colonel.  The  Provincial  Congress,  however,  preferred 
the  claims  of  Jonathan  Ward  of  Southborough ; who  was 
commissioned  accordingly,  and  Col.  Henshaw  returned  home. 
Col.  Joseph,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  an  older  brother  of 
Col.  William  Henshaw,  who  commanded  a regiment  of  minute- 
men  who  marched  to  Cambridge  on  the  same  occasion,  and 
became  adjutant-general  of  the  troops.  About  the  close  of 
the  war.  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw  removed  to  Shrewsbury; 
where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1794.  His  wife  was 
the  daughter  of  Joshua  Henshaw,  Esq.,  who  is  noticed  in 
this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  one  of  the  little  band  of 
leading  and  influential  men  who  infused  into  the  counsels  and 
measures  of  this  town  so  much  spirit  and  harmony.  His 


HISTORY  or  LEICESTER. 


199 


I 


family  and  personal  connections  with  the  leading  men  in 
Boston  made  him  early  apprised  of  the  measures  which  ori- 
ginated there ; and  some  of  the  most  spirited  resolutions  and 
instructions  which  were  adopted  by  the  town,  were,  as  is 
believed,  from  his  pen. 

His  brothers,  and  his  uncle  J oshua  Henshaw,  are  noticed  in 
other  parts  of  this  work.  He  was  a delegate  from  Leicester 
to  the  first  and  second  Provincial  Congresses,  in  October,  1774, 
and  February,  1775 ; and  a leading  member  of  those  bodies. 

Ebenezer  Adams,  Estp  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  N.H.,  in 
1765;  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1791;  never  studied 
any  profession,  but  engaged  in  teaching.  He  was  preceptor 
of  the  Academy  from  May,  1791,  to  July,  1806;  when  he  re- 
moved to  Portland.  In  1809,  he  became  a professor  in  Dart- 
mouth College,  and  resigned  in  1833.  After  that,  he  lived  in 
retirement  until  his  death  in  August,  1841. 

While  in  Leicester,  he  exerted  a leading  influence  in  the 
town,  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  to 
a marked  degree.  He  was  appointed  a justice  of  the  peace, 
and  was  the  first  postmaster  of  the  place. 

Through  life.  Professor  Adams  sustained  a high  reputation 
as  a teacher,  as  a professor,  and  as  a gentleman  of  stanch 
principle,  of  fearless  regard  for  duty,  of  great  dignity  and 
courtesy  of  manner ; one  remembered  with  pleasure  and 
respect  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Mr.  Adams  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Frink  of 
Rutland  ; who  died  in  June,  1805,  aged  thirty-seven.  She  left 
five  children  ; only  one  of  whom,  John  F.,  survives  ; the  others 
liaving  all  fallen  victims  to  consumption  before  the  period 
of  middle  life.  Mr.  Adams  owned  and  lived  upon  the  place 
now  belonging  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  May. 

Rev.  JosiAH  Clark  was  born  in  Northampton  in  1785 ; was 
graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1809;  succeeded  ^Ir.  Wilson 
as  principal  preceptor  of  the  Academy  in  1812,  having  been 
English  preceptor  the  three  previous  years.  In  1818,  he  was 


200 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


settled  as  minister  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  Society 
in  Rutland:  and  remained  their  pastor  till  his  death  in  1845. 

He  was  faithfnl  in  all  his  trusts ; an  excellent  citizen,  a 
devoted  minister,  and  a most  estimable  man.  His  principal 
connection  with  the  town  was  as  a teacher ; and  in  that  capa- 
city he  displayed  eminent  qualities,  winning  the  love  and 
respect  of  his  pupils,  and  exerting  a salutary  influence  in  train- 
ing their  intellects  and  cultivating  and  improving  their  moral 
powers. 

Rev.  Luther  Wilson  was  bom  in  Xew  Braintree;  gradu- 
ated at  Williams  College  in  1807  ; the  same  year,  was  English 
preceptor  of  the  Academy;  and,  from  1809  to  1812,  was  its 
principal  preceptor.  He  was  settled  as  a minister  in  Brook- 
lyn, Conn. : resigned  his  place  after  a few  years ; and  now 
resides  upon  his  farm  in  dignified  retirement  in  Petersham. 

He  married  Sally,  daughter  of  Abijah  Bigelow,  Esq.,  of 
Barre,  — a sister  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Xelson  of  Leicester.  He  owned 
and  lived  upon  the  place  now  owned  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  May. 

John  Richardson  was  a native  of  Woburn;  was  graduated 
at  Harvard  in  1813;  was  principal  of  the  Academy  from  Fe- 
bruary, 1819,  to  August,  1833  ; when  he  resigned,  and  removed 
to  Xorth  Andover,  where  he  resided  till  his  death  in  1841. 

During  most  of  his  residence  in  town,  he  owned  and  occu- 
pied the  place  where  Mr.  Edward  Knowles  lives,  formerly 
owned  by  Dr.  Moore. 

St.  John  Honeywood,  the  son  of  Dr.  John  Honey  wood, 
was  bora  in  Leicester,  Feb.  7,  1733.  By  the  death  of  his 
father  and  mother  at  an  early  period  of  his  life,  he  was  left, 
not  only  an  orphan,  but  penniless,  and  dependent  on  the 
kindness  of  his  friends.  By  their  aid  he  was  enabled  to  fit 
himself  for  college  ; and  entered  Yale,  where  he  soon  won  the 
warm  friendship  of  its  president.  Dr.  Stiles,  who  received 
him  into  his  own  family. 

He  graduated  with  high  honor  and  reputation  for  scholar- 
ship, and  went  to  Schenectadv  to  engage  as  a teacher  of  an 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


201 


academy.  He  remained  there  two  years,  and  then  went  to 
Albany,  where  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  with  Peter 
W.  Yates,  Esq.,  and  remained  with  him  two  years.  After  his 
admission  to  the  bar,  he  established  himself  in  Salem,  in 
Washington  County;  and  continued  in  the  practice,  with  an 
honorable  reputation,  for  ten  years. 

Like  most  young  men  of  promise  in  Xew  York,  he  was 
seduced  into  the  arena  of  politics,  which  interfered  somewhat 
with  his  success  at  the  bar.  He  belonged  to  the  old  Federal 
party,  and  was  one  of  the  electors  for  President  when  John 
Adams  was  elected  to  that  office. 

He  died  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-four,  Sept.  1,  1T9S.  He 
married  a daughter  of  Col.  Mosely  of  Westfield,  Mass.  : but 
left  no  children. 

This  brief  outline  gives  but  little  idea  of  the  characteristic 
traits  of  Mr.  Honeywood's  mind  or  genius.  I say,  genius : for 
he  gave  early  evidence  of  having  been  endowed  by  nature 
with  the  eye  of  a painter  and  the  sensibility  of  a poet : and 
although  he  did  not  cultivate  these  in  maturer  life,  except 
as  matters  of  pleasant  relaxation,  his  friends  were  aware  that 
he  might  have  attained  to  eminence  in  either  department 
of  art. 

Among  the  anecdotes  that  used  to  be  told  of  his  early  days, 
he  was  taken  to  church  one  Sunday,  and,  while  there,  was 
greatly  attracted  by  the  appearance  of  an  old  man  with  a 
very  peculiar  physiognomy,  who  sat  in  the  next  pew.  Instead 
of  listening  to  the  sermon,  his  aunt  was  scandalized  to  detect 
him  in  trying  to  twist  his  own  face  into  the  expression  of  the 
old  man  near  him.  On  reaching  home,  she  accordingly  beptn 
to  read  him  a lecture  on  decorum  of  conduct,  which  he  had 
little  comprehension  of  having  violated ; and,  as  soon  as  it 
was  over,  he  went  into  another  room,  and  in  a few  minutes 
returned  with  a pen-and-ink  sketch,  which  was  so  exact  a 
likeness  of  the  lace  which  had  attracted  him.  that  his  fault 
was  forgotten  in  the  delight  which  the  picture  gave  his 

26 


202 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


foster-mother.  His  taste  led  him  to  caricature  as  a painter ; 
and,  though  without  any  instruction  in  his  art,  he  produced 
some  historical  pieces  of  merit. 

As  a poet,  he  was  the  author  of  many  happy  and  sprightly 
effusions  ; and  gave  such  evidence  of  talent  as  to  win  a place 
among  the  poets  of  America.  A volume  of  his  poems  was 
collected  and  published,  in  1801,  from  manuscripts  left  by 
him ; and  contains  several  pieces  which  are  still  read  with 
pleasure. 

He  had  from  his  childhood  many  of  the  eccentricities  which 
are  supposed  to  mark  the  possession  of  genius ; but  he  had 
a warm  heart,  a delicate  and  refined  sensibility,  ready  wit  and 
humor,  and  was  much  regarded  as  a companion  and  friend. 

Reuben  Washburn,  though  born  in  this  town,  Dec.  30, 
1781,  early  removed  with  his  father,  Asa  Washburn,  to  Putney 
in  Vermont.  He  has  for  many  years  lived  in  Ludlow  in  Ver- 
mont, where  he  has  held  a good  rank  as  a lawyer ; and,  at 
one  time,  was  a Judge  of  the  County  Court  in  that  State. 
Age  has  done  little  to  impair  the  vigor  of  his  mind,  or  the 
accuracy  of  his  judgment  or  memory. 

Phinehas  Bruce  was  the  son  of  George  Bruce,  and  born 
in  1762.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  in  1786.  He  studied 
law,  and  married  a sister  of  Hon.  James  Savage  of  Boston. 
He  established  himself  in  Machias,  tlyyi  a new  region ; and 
soon  rose  to  a good  degree  of  eminence  in  his  profession. 
He  was  a member  both  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and 
the  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  and  took  a leading  position  and 
rank  there. 

He  was  a man  of  fine  address  and  most  agreeable  qualities, 
and  commanded  the  public  confidence,  as  well  as  the  personal 
esteem  of  his  friends.  In  1803,  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 
but  declined  the  election ; and,  upon  a second  election,  was 
again  chosen  to  the  same  Congress,  but  never  took  his  seat 
in  that  bod}’.  He  was  stricken  down  by  insanity,  brought 
on  by  ill-health  and  over-exertion  in  his  profession ; from 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


203 


which  he  never  sufficiently  recovered  to  resume  his  profes- 
sion. He  died  Oct.  4,  1809,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven. 

Daniel  Henshaw  was  a son  of  William  Henshaw,  and  was 
born  May  9,  1782  ; was  graduated  at  Harvard,  1806  ; and 
read  law  in  part  with  Nathaniel  P.  Denny,  and  in  part  with 
Judge  Paine.  He  was  in  business  twenty-one  years  in  Win- 
chendon.  In  1830,  he  resided  in  Worcester;  and  afterwards, 
for  several  years,  in  Lynn,  where  he  had  the  management  of 
a public  newspaper,  — the  “ Lynn  Record.”  On  becoming 
an  editor,  he  gave  up  his  professional  business,  and  continued 
for  fourteen  years  in  the  arduous  and  responsible  place  of 
leading  editor  of  a paper ; and,  after  that  period,  often 
contributed  valuable  and  interesting  articles,  chiefly  of  a 
biographical  or  historical  character,  to  sundry  newspapers, 
which  were  read  with  interest.* 

A distaste  for  public  life  deterred  him  from  suffering  him- 
self to  become  a candidate  for  office ; but,  with  the  command 
of  the  pen  of  an  easy  and  vigorous  writer,  he  made  his  influ- 
ence felt  to  an  extent  to  which  few  mere  office-holders  could 
ever  attain.  After  his  connection  with  the  paper  in  Lynn 
had  terminated,  he  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  now  lives. 
Delicacy,  therefore,  forbids  me  to  speak  of  him  beyond  the 
few  public  acts  of  his  life.  He  married  Miss  Deborah  Stark- 
weather of  Worthington,  who  died  in  1851,  leaving  one  son 
and  two  daughters. 

Samuel  Swan,  son  of  Reuben  Swan,  was  born  May  6,  1778  ; 
was  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1799 ; studied  law  with  Natha- 
niel P.  Denny,  Esq.,  and  Judge  Paine ; and  settled  in  Hub- 
bardston,  where  he  still  resides.  He  married  Miss  Clara  Hale 
in  November,  1812  ; and  a son  of  his  is  now  a practising 
lawyer  in  Worcester,  another  a merchant  in  Boston. 

John  F.  Adams  was  a son  of  Professor  Adams,  before 


* I am  happy  to  acknowledge  my  indebtedness  to  him  for  materials  for  the  present 


work. 


204 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


named.  He  was  born  in  1800  ; was  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
in  1817;  was  employed  for  a year  as  assistant  preceptor; 
studied  law,  and  practised  the  profession  several  years  in 
Mobile.  Eesides  in  Washington,  D.C. 

WiNTHROP  Earle  was  the  son  of  Winthrop  Earle  ; was  born 
in  1807.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  in  1826  ; but  died  of  con- 
sumption, Nov.  9,  1828,  aged  twenty-one.  He  was  a young 
man  of  good  promise  and  fine  moral  qualities ; and  his  loss 
was  much  lamented. 

Austin  Hersey,  son  of  Calvin,  entered  Dartmouth  College 
in  1813,  and  remained  till  near  the  close  of  the  four  years, 
but  did  not  graduate.  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  Aug.  30, 
1825,  aged  twenty-eight. 

Samuel  D.  Green,  Esq.,  son  of  Samuel  Green,  entered,  and 
was  a member  of.  Brown  University  till  his  senior  year ; when 
he  left  college,  and  entered  upon  active  life.  He  now  resides 
in  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Among  the  persons  born  in  Leicester,  who  have  become 
sufficiently  distinguished  to  be  proper  subjects  of  notice  in  a 
work  like  this,  was  — 

Hon.  William  Upham.  — He  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Upham, 
who  lived  where  the  late  Deacon  Eockwood  died,  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town.  At  a considerably  later  period,  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Yermont ; and  died  in  1848,  aged 
eighty-seven.  His  son  William  had  the  misfortune  to  have 
his  right  hand  crushed  in  a cider-mill  while  a child ; and  was 
subjected,  from  the  necessity  of  the  case,  to  the  rather  original 
surgical  process  of  having  the  shattered  parts  of  the  bones 
trimmed  ofi*  with  a hatchet  in  the  hands  of  the  operator.  It 
disabled  him  from  pursuing  a life  of  labor,  for  which  he  had 
been  intended  ; and  he  turned  his  attention  to  obtaining  such 
an  education  as  was  within  his  means.  He  was  a student  at 
the  Academy  in  town  during  the  years  1799  and  1800.  After 
his  removal  to  Vermont,  he  studied  law  with  the  late  Judge 
Prentiss,  and  became  his  partner,  in  business.  He  resided  in 


HISTORY  or  LEICESTER. 


205 


Montpelier.  He  attained  to  a high  rank  in  his  profession, 
and  was  a very  successful  jury  advocate.  He  possessed  a 
great  share  of  wit  and  humor,  and  occasionally  indulged  in 
sarcasm  with  telling  effect.  He  was  a social,  pleasant,  and 
agreeable  companion  ; and  had  acquired  such  a degree  of 
popular  favor  and  confidence,  that,  upon  his  former  partner 
being  appointed  District  Judge  of  the  United-States  Court, 
Mr.  Upham  became  his  successor  in  the  United-States  Senate. 

After  serving  out  the  balance  of  the  term  for  which  he  was 
chosen,  he  was  re-elected ; and  died,  while  a member  of  the 
Senate,  at  Washington,  July,  1853. 

Mr.  Upham  did  not  speak  often  in  the  Senate ; but,  when- 
ever he  did,  it  was  with  much  force,  directness,  and  effect. 
He  was  stanch  and  reliable  in  his  political  opinions,  and 
commanded  attention  as  an  independent  thinker,  and  an  out- 
spoken representative  of  New-England  sentiment.  He  never 
lost  his  interest  in  the  plaice  of  his  nativity,  and  visited  it 
often  enough  to  keep  alive  his  early  memories  and  asso- 
ciations connected  with  its  localities. 

Hon.  David  Henshaw  was  a son  of  David  Henshaw,  Esq. ; 
and  was  born  April  2,  1791.  His  early  education  was  con- 
fined to  the  common  school  and  the  academy.  At  a suitable 
age,  he  went  to  Boston  as  a clerk  or  apprentice  with  Messrs. 
Dix  and  Brinley,  druggists  ; and  afterwards  commenced  and 
carried  on  business  on  his  own  account  in  that  city,  for  many 
years,  with  great  energy,  enterprise,  and  success.  He  was, 
at  the  same  time,  diligently  engaged  in  cultivating  his  mind 
by  study,  and  by  application  to  books. 

He  was  a vigorous  writer,  and  wrote  much  for  the  public 
papers,  and  several  more  extended  articles  which  he  pub- 
lished in  pamphlet  form,  and  which  gained  him  much  credit 
at  the  time. 

In  1826,  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  Senate  from  Suf- 
folk; which  was  tlie  higlier  mark  of  confidence,  inasmuch  as 
he  was  always  a most  decided  advocate  of  political  senti- 


206 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


ments  and  opinions  adverse  to  what  had  been  the  prevailing 
sentiments  of  the  people  of  that  county. 

In  1829,  he  was  appointed  collector  of  the  port  of  Boston 
by  President  Jackson,  and  held  the  office  nine  years  to  the 
acceptance  of  all  who  had  occasion  to  do  business  with  that 
department.  He  had  great  practical  experience,  with  high 
executive  qualities,  and  brought  these  silccessfully  to  bear 
upon  the  orderly  and  systematic  management  of  the  affairs 
of  the  office. 

President  Tyler  appointed  him  to  the  department  of  the 
Navy,  in  his  cabinet;  and  he  had  the  charge  of  it  long 
enough  to  evince  eminent  talents  and  qualifications  for  the 
place.  From  the  relation,  however,  in  which  President  Ty- 
ler stood  to  the  political  parties  in  the  Senate,  that  body 
failed  to  confirm  Mr.  Henshaw’s  appointment ; and  he  retired 
to  private  life. 

Here,  however,  he  was  by  no  means  inactive.  He  took  a 
leading  part  in  promoting  in  Massachusetts  the  railroad  inte- 
rest, then  in  its  infancy.  He  turned  his  attention  to  agricul- 
ture, and  the  improvement  of  his  farm,  which  had  been  his 
father’s  before  him.  Though  unmarried,  he  surrounded  him- 
self with  a large  circle  of  family  friends ; to  whom,  as  well 
as  to  all  who  visited  him,  he  was  kind,  liberal,  and  hospi- 
table. 

He  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Court  in  the  year 
1840  ; made  the  Annual  Address  before  the  Worcester  Agri- 
cultural Society  in  1847  ; and,  though  much  of  the  time 
struggling  with  hereditary  disease  of  a painful  and  prostrat- 
ing character,  he  continued  to  exert  an  active  infiuence  in 
the  community  till  his  death,  in  1852,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
one.  He  was  a self-made  man,  and  achieved  for  himself 
wealth,  political  infiuence  and  power,  and  an  unquestioned 
reputation  for  mental  vigor,  and  energy  of  purpose,  of  no 
ordinary  character. 

Robert  Southgate  was  a son  of  Steward,  and  a grandson 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


207 


of  Richard  who  came  into  town  from  England  in  March, 
1718.  He  was  born  Oct.  26,  1741;  and  studied  medicine. 
In  1771,  he  went  to  Scarborough,  Me.,  travelling  on  horse- 
back; and  settled  there  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
which  he  pursued,  for  several  years,  with  high  reputation 
and  much  success.  He  became  an  extensive  landowner, 
and  acquired  a handsome  estate ; and  gradually  withdrew 
from  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

He  married,  in  1773,  Mary  King  (then  in  her  sixteenth 
year),  the  daughter  of  Richard  King  of  Scarborough,  sister  of 
Rufus  King  (so  distinguished  afterwards  in  public  life),  and 
half-sister  of  William  and  Cyrus  King,  — the  one  a governor, 
and  senator  in  Congress ; and  the  other  a representative  in 
Congress  from  Maine. 

About  the  close  of  the  last  century,  he  was  appointed  a 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  and  filled  the  office,  for 
several  years,  with  great  acceptance  to  the  bar  as  well  as  the 
public.  He  died  Nov.  2,  1833,  aged  ninety-two.  He  had 
been  the  father  of  twelve  children ; one  of  whom  (Horatio) 
was  the  father  of  Bishop  Southgate,  recently  of  Boston. 

Ralph  Earle  deserves  to  be  remembered  as  a man  of  fine 
genius  as  a painter ; and,  among  other  marks  of  the  estimate 
in  which  he  was  held,  was  his  election  as  a member  of  the 
Royal  Academy  of  London.  He  was  the  son  of  Ralph,  and  a 
grandson  of  the  first  Ralf  Earle  who  settled  in  Leicester, 
the  ancestor  of  most  of  the  families  which  have  borne  that 
name  in  the  town. 

He  was  born  May  11,  1751.  I have  been  unable  to  trace 
the  progress  of  Mr.  Earle  in  the  art  which  he  cultivated.  In 
Dunlap’s  work  upon  the  History  of  the  Arts  of  Design 
in  the  United  States  ” is  a notice  of  Mr.  Earle  as  an  artist,  in 
which  he  is  spoken  of  as  having  painted  portraits  in  Connec- 
ticut in  1775  ; and  among  his  Avorks  Avere  ‘‘  tAvo  full-lengths  ” 
of  Dr.  Dwight,  painted  in  1777.  The  Avriter  represents  ^Ir. 
Earle  as  having  marched  to  Cambridge,  in  1775,  as  one  of  the 


208 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


‘‘  Governor’s  guard  ” of  militia ; and,  soon  after,  to  Lexington. 
The  military  part  of  his  history  is  obviously  apocryphal  in 
many  respects,  if  not  in  all : as  the  men  who  marched  to 
Cambridge  were  any  thing  but  the  Governorls  guards^  and 
the  marching  to  Lexington  is  generally  supposed  to  have 
preceded  that  of  the  troops  to  Cambridge. 

But,  in  respect  to  his  history  as  a painter,  the  writer  is 
much  more  accurate,  and  furnishes  some  curious  facts  of  much 
interest.  Mr.  Earle  executed,  from  sketches  taken  upon  the 
spot,  four  historical  paintings ; believed  to  be  the  first  histo- 
rical paintings  ever  executed  by  an  American  artist : one, 
the  battle  of  Lexington ; one,  a view  of  Concord,  with  the 
royal  troops  destroying  the  stores ; one,  the  battle  of  the 
North  Bridge  in  Concord ; and  one,  the  south  part  of  Lexing- 
ton, where  the  first  detachment  was  joined  by  Lord  Percy. 
These  paintings  were  engraved,  and  published  by  Amos 
Doolittle  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  who  was  with  Earle  at  Cam- 
bridge, and  is  said  to  have  been  a soldier  there  with  Earle, 
under  Col.  Arnold. 

It  is  certainly  no  slight  distinction  to  have  been  the  first 
American  historical  painter,  even  if  his  works  at  the  present 
day  should  be  found  to  be  of  inferior  intrinsic  merit  as  works 
of  art.  How  this  is,  I am  unable  to  state : but,  soon  after 
the  peace,  we  find  him  in  England,  pursuing  his  art  under  the 
instruction  of  his  countryman.  Sir  Benjamin  West ; and  such 
was  his  success,  that  he  was  elected,  as  has  been  stated,  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Academy  in  London. 

He  returned  to  this  country  in  1786,  and  continued  to 
pursue  the  business  of  a painter  in  different  parts  of  Massa- 
chusetts, New  York,  and  Connecticut.  He  left  several  works 
that  gained  him  much  credit ; and  among  them  was  a large 
one,  the  “ Falls  of  Niagara,”  which  was  much  admired.  He 
painted  for  the  late  Col.  Thomas  Denny  a landscape  of  much 
merit,  and  great  fidelity  of  representation,  embracing  the 
beautiful  and  picturesque  view  that  spreads  out  towards 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


209 


the  east  from  the  mansion-house  on  the  old  Denny  Farm,  so 
called ; which  is  still  preserved,  and  in  good  condition.  His 
productions  were  chiefly  in  the  line  of  portraits,  many  of 
which  might  have  formerly  been  found  in  Northampton  and 
Springfield.  Among  his  last  works  of  this  kind  were  portraits 
of  Governor  Strong  and  family. 

He  died  in  Bolton  in  Conn.,  in  October,  1801.  His  habits, 
unfortunately,  stood  between  him  and  that  eminence  in  his 
profession  which  genius  had  originally  placed  Avithin  his 
reach.  I quote,  from  the  writer  mentioned,  his  professional 
estimate  of  his  qualities  as  a painter:  He  had  considerable 

merit ; a breadth  of  light  and  shadow ; facility  of  handling, 
and  truth  in  likeness.  But  he  prevented  improvement,  and 
destroyed  himself  by  habitual  intemperance.’’ 

James  Earle,  brother  of  Ralph,  possessed  much  of  the 
genius  and  talent  of  the  latter  ; and  is  alluded  to  by  the  same 
author  (Dunlap),  Avho  is  utterly  confused  and  mistaken  in 
respect  to  him.  At  one  time,  he  represents  him  as  an  English 
gentleman  who  painted  portraits  in  Charleston,  S.C.,  about 
1792  ; that  Sully  saw  him  Avhen  a boy,  and,  Avhen  he  went  to 
London,  saAv  his  Avidow,  and  gaA^e  her  an  account  of  his  death 
by  yelloAv  feA’er.  In  a subsequent  statement  he  confounds 
him  Avith  Ralph,  and  concludes  there  Avas  but  one  of  the 
name.  The  only  respect  in  which  he  AA^as  correct  Avas  in 
his  having  been  engaged  as  a portrait-painter ; and  having 
died  in  Charleston,  S.C.,  of  yelloAv  feA^er.  This  took  place  in 
September,  1796;  and,  in  a notice  of  his  death,  he  is  spoken 
of  as  an  eminent  painter.” 

They  both  left  families ; but  it  AA^as  Ralph  aaJio  married  in 
London,  Avhile  pursuing  his  studies  there.  !Mr.  Dunlap’s 
work  contains  an  extended  notice  of  his  son  Augustus, — an 
eccentric  artist  of  great  promise,  Avdio  Avas  a friend  and  asso- 
ciate Avith  Leslie  and  ^lorse,  Avho  AA^ere  felloAv-students  Avith 
him.  Ralph  left  his  Avife  and  cliildren  in  London  when  ho 
returned  to  this  country. 


27 


210 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

NUMBERS  AND  NAMES  OF  SOLDIERS  IN  THE  FRENCH  AND  REVOLU- 
TIONARY WARS.  — COMMITTEES  OF  CORRESPONDENCE.  — NAMES  OF 
EARLY  SETTLERS,  &c.  — PERSONAL  NOTICES  OF  OFFICERS,  SOL- 
DIERS, PROMINENT  CITIZENS,  AND  OTHERS. 

I HAVE  made  considerable  effort  to  learn  the  names  of  those 
who  have  been  citizens  of  Leicester,  and  were  at  any  time  in 
the  service  of  the  Crown,  the  Province,  the  Provincial  or  the 
Continental  Congress ; but  my  researches  have  been  far  from 
satisfactory.  I give  below  the  names  of  such  as  I have  been 
able  to  ascertain,  with  such  an  account  of  them  as  the  mus- 
ter-rolls and  other  sources  of  information  afforded  me. 

In  1722,  a part  of  a company  were  stationed  in  this  town  to 
guard  its  inhabitants  from  the  Indians  ; and  among  them  were 
Thomas  Newhall,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  town;  and 
William  Ward,  who  then  belonged  to  Marlborough,  but  after- 
w^ards  removed  to  Leicester.  They  were  sergeants  in  the 
company.  Ward  was  much  employed  afterwards  as  a sur- 
veyor, and  is  noticed  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

In  1724,  a part  of  Capt.  Chandler’s  company  were  stationed 
in  Leicester  to  guard  the  inhabitants ; twenty-nine  men,  with 
out  commissioned  officers. 

The  French  and  Indian  war  of  1744-8  called  into  requi- 
sition great  numbers  of  Provincial  troops,  especially  the 
expedition  against  Louisburg  in  1745.  From  the  general 
interest  which  that  expedition  excited,  I have  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  a considerable  number  of  men  were  engaged  in  it 
belonging  to  Leicester.  I have  ascertained  the  names  only 
of  a few. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


211 


Capt.  John  Brown  commanded  a company,  and  was  at  the 
surrender  of  Louisburg. 

James  Smith* * * §  was  also  a soldier  there,  and  died  in  the 
service. 

Samuel  Calif  was,  I believe,  a soldier  in  the  same  ; but  I 
have  been  unable  to  find  the  rolls  of  that  expedition.  They 
may  have  been  sent  to  England  as  vouchers  for  the  claims  for 
compensation  made  by  the  colonists  for  expenses  incurred  in 
its  prosecution. 

In  September,  1746,  an  order  from  Col.  John  Chandler,  ad- 
dressed to  Capt.  Nathaniel  Green,  “ in  his  Majesty’s  service  in 
Leicester,”  f required  a draught  from  his  company  of  twenty- 
five  men  without  delay,  with  ammunition  and  fourteen  days’ 
provision,  to  march  to  Boston  to  repel  an  anticipated  French 
invasion.  The  order  was  executed  ; but  I am  not  in  posses- 
sion of  the  names  of  the  persons  draughted. 

In  December,  1747,  a detachment  of  troops  was  stationed 
at  Colraine  to  guard  against  the  Indians  — among  whom  was 
Nathan  Whittemore  of  Leicester — from  December  to  the 
following  April. 

In  the  year  1747-8,  there  was  a detachment  of  troops  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Massachusetts,  near  what  is  now  Williamstown, 
to  guard  that  pass  against  the  incursions  of  the  western 
Indians  upon  the  frontier  settlements.  Among  them  was 
James  Smith, § Moses  Peter  Attair,|  and  James  Richardson. 1 

Besides  these,  several  from  this  town  had  enlisted,  the  same 
year,  into  what  was  called  the  Canada  expedition,”  whose 
names  I have  not  ascertained. 

Another  French  war  broke  out  in  1754,  and  an  expedition 


* He  lived  upon  the  farm  recently  owned  by  Robert  Watson. 

t Removed  from  Malden,  and  lived  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  He  marrietHt- — 
daughter  of  Capt.  Nathaniel  Green. 

J \^de  copy  of  the  order  in  the  genealogy  of  Nathaniel  Green. 

§ Son  of  James  who  died  at  Louisburg. 

II  Called  servant  of  John  White. 

T[  Son  of  Thomas  Richardson. 


212 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


under  Col.  Winslow  was  sent  to  the  eastern  frontier  to  over- 
awe the  Indians.  In  this,  Nicholas  McDaniel,  Benjamin  Mer- 
ritt, and  Benjamin  Edmunds,  were  soldiers  from  Leicester. 

Silas  Bowker  was  in  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point,  in 
1755,  under  Lord  Amherst. 

In  the  spring  of  1756,  measures  were  taken  to  organize  a 
powerful  expedition  to  march  to  Crown  Point.  Eleven  men 
were  enlisted  from  Leicester.  There  was  found  to  be  a 
deficiency  in  the  requisite  number,  and  four  more  were  en- 
listed from  the  town.  Their  names  were  Daniel  Watson, 
Perley  Brown,  Elias  Bowker,* * * §  Francis  Stone,  John  Presson,f 
Ebenezer  Washburn,^  Nathaniel  Sargent,  John  Cole,§  Samuel 
Wicker,  Josiah  Robinson,  James  Bacon,  Luke  Converse,  Ste- 
phen Bell,  James  Graton,  and  John  Bowker. 

Knight  Sprague,  then  of  Hingham,  afterwards  of  Leicester, 
was  in  the  same  expedition,  as  is  stated  in  another  part  of 
this  work. 

In  July,  1756,  the  following  were  soldiers  in  Col.  Ruggles’s 
regiment  at  Fort  Edward:  Thomas  Handy, ||  sergeant;  Fran- 
cis Stone,  who  seems  to  have  re-enlisted;  John  Ryan,^  John 
Cole,  re-enlisted ; Samuel  Pike,  Joseph  Merritt,**  Thomas 
Bridge. 

In  August,  1756,  at  Fort  William  Henry,  in  Col.  Ruggles^s 
regiment,  the  following  belonged  to  the  army : — 

Samuel  Call,  Alexander  Calhoon,  Joshua  Smith,  Elijah  Wil- 
son, Daniel  Jones;  Samuel  Wicker,  sergeant;  Perley  Brown, 
corporal;  James  Lamb,ft  then  of  Charlton;  Caleb  Barton, 
then  of  Oxford,  afterwards  of  Leicester.  Nathaniel  Harrod 


* Married  a sister  of  Col.  Washburn’s  wife. 

t Was  eighteen;  born  in  Framingham;  re-enlisted;  was  returned  “ killed  or  taken.” 

J Brother  of  Col.  Seth  Washburn. 

§ Born  in  Concord;  called  laborer. 

II  Born  in  Ireland ; called  trader. 

^ Born  in  Ireland ; laborer. 

**  Born  in  Scituate;  cordwainer;  twenty-seven  years  old. 
ft  Twent\--three  years  old;  born  in  Leicester. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


213 


joined  the  army  in  September.  The  term  of  enlistment  of 
these  men  continued  till  Dec.  21,  1756.  David  Smith,  Silas 
Waite,  and  Thomas  Gleason,  were  impressed  with  Harrod, 
and  joined  the  army  with  him. 

Nathan  Parsons,  son  of  Rev.  David,  then  of  Cold  Spring, 
was  a sergeant  at  the  surrender  of  Fort  William  Henry, 
Aug.  9,  1757. 

In  the  same  year,  Samuel  Call,  sergeant ; John  Drown,  do. ; 
William  Green,  ensign ; Jabez  Swan,  corporal ; Elijah  Dewing, 
Israel  Green,  Michael  Nagels,  Nathaniel  Parmenter,"  Darby 
Ryan,  James  Trumbull,  Ephraim  Taylor,  James  Calhoon,  pri- 
vates,— were  in  the  service  from  Leicester,  in  Capt.  Joseph 
Cheny’s  company. 

The  number  of  officers  and  soldiers  from  the  town,  in 
the  last  great  struggle  with  the  French  which  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  Quebec  in  1759  and  the  conquest  of  Canada  the 
following  year,  considerably  exceeded  any  former  levies  for 
the  army.  Among  them  were  Samuel  Call,  James  Brindley, 
Silas  Bellows,  John  Call,  John  Dean,  Benjamin  Ellis,  Samuel 
Garfield,  Nathaniel  Harwood,  James  Hill,  Jason  Livermore, 
John  Poore,  Joseph  Ryan,  Edward  Saunderson,  James  Steb- 
bins,  Joseph  Shaw,  Thomas  Sargeant,  Nehemiah  Scott,  Jona- 
than Stoddard,  Oliver  Segur,  Nathaniel  Thompson,  John 
White,  and  John  Watson.  Thomas  Steele  was  surgeon’s 
mate  in  Brig.-Gen.  Ruggles’s  regiment  in  1759.  In  1760, 
James  Taylor  (then  of  Greenwich,  born  in  Leicester),  Peter 
Harwood,  Eliphalet  Harwood,  John  Earle,  Ezekiel  Earle, 
Oliver  Newton,  and  Timothy  Howe. 

Joel  Cutler,  William  Dunton  (servant  of  Solomon  Par- 
sons, who  was  probably  surgeon  of  the  regiment  to  which 
they  belonged),  and  Ebenezer  Saunderson,  were  in  the  ser- 
vice ; the  last  from  April,  the  two  first  from  JuH  to  Decem- 
ber, 1761. 

In  1762,  from  July  5 to  Nov.  14,  Timothy  How,  and, 
from  March  to  November,  Ebenezer  Smith  and  Benjamin  Ellis, 


214 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


'\yere  soldiers  in  an  expedition  which  was  sent  into  the  coun- 
try west  of  North  River. 

William  Henshaw  was  a lieutenant  in  Capt.  Jeduthan 
Baldwin’s  company  of  the  Provincial  troops,  from  March  to 
November  of  1759,  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  as  is 
more  fully  stated  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Jacob  Washburn,  who  came  from  Bridgewater,  and  lived 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town  of  Leicester,  was  a lieutenant  in 
the  French  War.  He  was  son  of  Gideon,  and  cousin  of 
Seth. 


SOLDIERS  ENGAGED  IN  SERVICE  IN  THE  WAR  OF  THE 
REVOLUTION. 

It  is  not  supposed  that  the  list  which  I here  present  is  by 
any  means  complete.  Such  as  are  here  recorded  have  been 
chiefly  ascertained  by  a recurrence  to  the  Revolutionary 
rolls. 

I find  there  were  twenty-seven  draughts  for  soldiers,  to- 
wards which  Leicester  supplied  two  hundred  and  forty-seven 
men,  between  May,  1775,  and  June  28,  1780.  Subsequent 
draughts  were  made,  which  I suppose  were  principally  an- 
swered by  the  classes  into  which  the  town  was  divided ; one 
of  which,  July  19,  1781,  I have  found  for  six  men. 

This  does  not  embrace  the  company  of  minute-men  under 
Capt.  Washburn  ; nor  the  standing  company,  under  Capt. 
Thomas  Newhall,  who  marched  to  Cambridge  on  the  19th  of 
April,  1775;  nor  the  draughts  made  by  resolves  of  Jan.  26, 
1777,  for  six  months;  June  5,  1780,  for  three  years;  Dec.  2, 
1780,  for  three  and  five  months  ; June,  1781,  for  three  years; 
or  March,  1782,  — the  numbers  of  which  I have  not  ascer- 
tained. 

The  minute-men  belonged  to  a regiment  of  which  William 
Henshaw  was  colonel ; Samuel  Denny,  lieutenant-colonel ; and 
John  Southgate,  adjutant;  all  of  whom  marched  to  Cambridge 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


215 


on  the  19th  of  April.  Col.  Henshaw’s  pay  was  made  up  for 
thirty-four  and  a half  days;  Lieut.- Col.  Denny’s,  ten  and  a 
half  days  ; and  Southgate’s,  nineteen  and  a half  days. 

Col.  Artemas  Ward  commanded  a regiment  of  men;  and 
Joseph  Henshaw,  then  of  Leicester,  was  his  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  marched  to  Cambridge  on  the  19th  of  April,  and  re- 
mained one  month  and  ten  days  in  the  service  there. 

For  some  reason  not  explained,  but  much  to  his  dissatisfac- 
tion, in  organizing  the  “ eight  months’  men  ” into  regiments, 
Jonathan  Ward  of  Marlborough  was  appointed,  in  Col.  Arte- 
mas Ward’s  regiment,  lieutenant-colonel  in  place  of  Lieut.- 
Col.  Henshaw.  The  Provincial  Congress  decided  the  ques- 
tion on  the  25th  of  May  against  Col.  Henshaw ; but  Col.  Arte- 
mas Ward  had  been  commissioned  on  the  19th  May.  This 
probably  terminated  the  period  of  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw’s 
service. 

The  members  of  the  Leicester  Company  of  Minute-men, 

! who  marched  on  the  19th  April,  1775,  were  — 


Seth  Washburn,  captain. 

William  Watson,  1st  lieutenant. 
Nathaniel  Harrod,  2d  lieutenant. 
Samuel  Watson,  sergeant. 

: Henry  King,  „ 

j Ebenezer  Kent,  corporal. 

! Jonathan  Newhall,  „ 

Benjamin  Converse. 

' Abner  Dunbar. 

I Thomas  Parker. 

I Ambrose  Searle. 

! Jesse  Green, 
i Jonas  Southgate. 

Samuel  Richardson. 

Jesse  Smjth. 

I Peleg  Hersey. 
i John  Brown. 

I William  Crossman. 

Hezekiah  Saunderson. 

; Daniel  Hubbard. 

Abijah  Stowers. 

I Adam  Gilmore. 

1 


David  Newhall. 

Daniel  Denny. 
Ebenezer  Saunderson. 
Elijah  Comins. 

Elias  Green. 

John  Weaver. 

Isaac  Livermore. 
Jonathan  Sargent. 

Job  Stetson. 

James  Greaton. 

Morris  Higgins. 
Nathan  Craige. 
Phinehas  Green. 
Perley  Brown. 
Stephen  Taylor. 
Samuel  Sargent. 
William  Brown. 

David  Sargent. 

Jason  Livermore. 
James  Tucker. 
Jonathan  Jackson. 


I 


216 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Seth  Washburn,  then  of  Wilbraham,  a son  of  Capt.  Seth, 
was  among  those  who  marched  to  Cambridge  on  this  alarm. 

The  members  of  the  Standing  Company,  who  marched  the 
same  day,  were  — 


Thomas  Newhall,  captain. 

Benj.  Richardson,  1st  lieutenant. 
Ebenezer  Upham,  2d  lieutenant. 
Loring  Lincoln,  sergeant. 

Isaac  Choate,  „ 

James  Whittemore,  „ 

Phinehas  Newhall,  corporal. 
Phinehas  Sargent,  „ 

Peter  Silvester,  jun. 

Jonathan  Johnson. 

Nathaniel  Richardson. 

Moses  Hovey. 

Micah  Livermore. 

Elijah  Howe. 

Jonathan  Sargent,  jun. 

Elisha  Ward. 

Benjamin  Leviston. 


Thomas  Snow. 
Thomas  Green. 
Reuben  Lamb. 
Phinehas  Barton. 
Caleb  Nichols. 

David  Carpenter. 
Reuben  Earle. 

Wait  Upham. 

Richard  Bond. 
Reuben  Swan. 

Solon  Green. 

Isaac  Livermore,  jun. 
Daniel  Sargeant. 
Elijah  Cumings. 
Israel  Saunderson. 
John  Weaver. 

Daniel  Newhall. 


On  the  23d  April,  1775,  the  Congress  resolved  to  raise 
thirteen  thousand  six  hundred  men  immediately,  from  Massa- 
chussetts,  for  its  defence.  Enlisting  papers  were  prepared  on 
the  24th,  and  printed;  and  the  enlistments  began  the  same 
day.  Capt.  Washburn  signed,  on  the  24th  April,  the  one  for 
raising  the  company  which  he  was  to  command.  The  term 
of  service  was  to  be  eight  months  ; the  number  of  men  in 
each  company  to  be  fifty-nine,  including  three  officers.  The 
names  of  the  Leicester  men  who  enlisted  into  this  company 
were  as  follow : — 


Seth  Washburn,  captain. 

Joseph  Livermore  of  Spencer,  1st 
lieutenant. 

Loring  Lincoln,  2d  lieutenant. 
Peleg  Hersey,  sergeant. 

John  Brown,  „ 

Anthony  Sprague,  „ 


William  Crossman,  sergeant. 
Hezekiah  Saunderson,  corporal. 
Daniel  Hubbard,  „ 

Elijah  Southgate,  then  of  Spencer, 
corporal.* 

Elijah  Torrey,  fifer. 

Joseph  Washburn. 


* Southgate  was  of  the  Leicester  Family,  and  lived  just  over  the  Leicester  line  in 
Spencer. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


217 


Abijah  Stowers.  , " 
Adam  Gilmore. 

Daniel  Newliall. 
Daniel  Denny,  y 
Ebenezer  Saunderson. 
Elijah  Converse. 

Elias  Green. 

Israel  Saunderson. 
John  Weaver. 

Isaac  Livermore,  jun. 
Jonathan  Sargent,  j 
John  Stetson. 

James  Greaton.  ^ 
Morris  Higgins.  ^ 
Isathan  Craige. 


James  Richardson. 
William  Brown.  ^ 
James  Tucker. 
Phinehas  Green. 
Phinehas  Green,  jun. 
Perley  Brown. 
Stephen  Taylor. 
Samuel  Sargent. 
Abner  Livermore. 
Thomas  Green. 

John  Green. 

Daniel  Sargent. 

Jason  Livennore. 
Jonathan  Jackson. 
Matthew  Jackson. 


The  balance  of  the  company  were  enlisted  from  other 
towns,  — seven  from  Spencer,  three  from  Paxton,  four  from 
Oakham,  two  from  Holden,  two  from  Weston,  one  from 
Worcester,  one  from  Brookfield,  and  one  from  Gloucester. 

The  promptness  with  yvhich  the  Leicester  men  enlisted, 
and  the  proportion  of  the  two  companies  then  at  Cambridge, 
if  it  had  been  followed  by  the  troops  from  the  other  towns, 
would  have  rendered  the  new  general  order  of  the  27th  April 
unnecessary.  This  called  upon  all  who  were  not  enlisted,  and 
intended  to  remain,  to  enlist  at  once ; with  an  assurance  that 
they  should  be  ofiicered  by  those  appointed  by  the  Committee 
of  Safety  until  the  particular  regiments  and  companies  were 
completed. 

The  field-officers  were  charged  to  see  that  one-fifth  part  of 
the  training  soldiers  of  each  town  from  which  the  companies 
came,  should  be  immediately  enlisted  out  of  the  troops  as- 
sembled  in  camp ; and,  if  a sufficient  number  could  not  be 
enlisted  agreeable  to  an  equal  quota,  the  deficiency  of  such 
quota  should  be  immediately  forwarded  by  a recruiting  officer 
to  each  town ; and,  in  the  mean  time,  a sufficient  number 
of  troops  present  should  be  retained  until  the  quota  of  the 
troops  for  this  Province  should  be  raised. 

By  the  8th  May,  there  had  been  thirteen  regiments  offii- 


28 


218 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


cered.  One  of  them  was  called  Gen.  Ward’s ; ” and,  to 
that,  Capt.  Washburn’s  company  was  attached. 

The  proportion  of  one-fifth  of  the  troops  in  the  trainband 
of  the  town  would  not  have  been  over  twenty ; whereas 
twenty  had  enlisted  before  the  date  of  the  second  order : 
ten  enlisted  on  its  date,  and  seven  before  the  middle  of  May, 
besides  six  who  enlisted  in  other  companies ; making  forty- 
seven  in  all. 

The  above  order  explains  why  numbers  of  the  Minute 
Company  and  that  of  Capt.  Newhall  were  retained  in  service, 
as  many  of  them  were,  after  the  companies  were  actually  dis- 
organized by  the  enlistments  for  the  eight  months’  service. 

Of  the  men  who  were  thus  enlisted  from  Leicester,  all 
except  Thomas  and  John  Green,  who  did  not  enlist  until 
July,  and  William  Brown,  James  Tucker,  and  Daniel  Sargent, 
who  had  left  the  company,  were  present  at  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  on  the  17th  June,  under  Capt. 
Washburn. 

William  Brown  enlisted  into  Capt.  Burbank’s  company  of 
artillery,  in  Col.  Gridley’s  regiment,  as  corporal,  on  the  15th 
June,  and  was  in  the  battle.  Perley  Brown  enlisted  in  the 
artillery  at  the  same  time,  but  was  with  this  company  in  the 
battle.  Nine  of  the  above  were  supplied  by  the  Province ; 
all  the  others  by  themselves. 

On  the  5th  September,  orders  were  issued  for  organizing 
a detachment  of  officers  and  men  to  march  to  Canada,  under 
Gen.  Arnold,  by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec  River.  Among 
the  volunteers  from  Leicester  in  that  enterprise  were  Morris 
Higgins  from  Capt.  Washburn’s  company,  and  Thomas  Whit- 
temore  from  Capt.  Williams’s  company,  in  Gen.  Heath’s  regi- 
ment. 

Besides  the  above,  I find  the  following  names  of  Leicester 
men  in  the  “ eight-months’  ” service  : Elijah  Green,  who  died 
in  the  service,  at  Roxbury,  December,  1775,  aged  sixteen; 
Andrew  Brown,  in  Col.  Larned’s  regiment;  Reuben  Earle, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


219 


in  the  same  company ; Richard  Lamb,  in  Capt.  Larned’s  com- 
pany; Nicholas  McDaniel  and  Waite  Upham,  — the  two  last 
in  the  artillery,  Foster’s  company. 

Dr.  Absalom  Russell  was  in  the  same  service  as  a surgeon’s 
mate,  in  Col.  Doolittle’s  regiment.  He  joined  the  regiment  on 
the  21st  July.  Steward  Southgate  was  a second  sergeant  in 
the  same  service.  The  term  of  this  service  expired  in  De- 
cember, when  a new  enlistment  of  men  took  place  for  two 
months ; and  sixteen  men  from  Leicester  joined  a company, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Seth  Washburn,  which  was  sta- 
tioned at  Dorchester.  The  major  being  absent,  Capt.  Wash- 
burn performed  the  duty  of  that  officer  by  reason  of  his 
seniority  in  office. 

I am  unable  to  give  the  names  of  these  sixteen,  as  I am  of 
many  of  the  twenty-six  subsequent  draughts.  A second  en- 
listment for  two  months,  after  the  expiration  of  the  first,  was 
made ; and  Capt.  Washburn  still  continued  in  command  of  a 
company. 

In  January,  1777,  a company  was  raised,  of  which  Adam 
Martin  was  captain ; * William  Crossman,  lieutenant ; f and 
Joseph  Washburn,  ensign,  — the  two  latter  officers  from 
Leicester.  The  company  was  attached  to  Col.  Bigelow’s  fif- 
teenth regiment,  in  the  Massachusetts  line  of  Continental 
troops ; and  were  enlisted  for  three  years,  or  during  the 
war. 

Among  the  members  of  the  company  from  Leicester  were  — 

Asa  Harrinp:ton,  February,  1777.  During  the  war. 

James  Tucker,  April,  1777.  During  the  war.  Was  sergeant;  served 

forty-four  months.  lie  was  under  Col.  Rufus  Putnam  at  West 

Point  in  1781,  together  with  Harrington. 

John  Hubbard,  March,  1777.  During  the  war.  Was  a black  man. 


* Martin  belonged  to  Sturbridge. 

t Grossman  was  soon  cashiered,  and  Washburn  promoted  to  lieutenant.  Cross- 
man  had  been  a sergeant  in  Capt.  Washhiirn’s  company,  anrl  was  wounded  at  Bun- 
ker Hill.  He  lived  a little  south  of  where  Mrs.  Hobart  lives. 


220 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Jethro  Jones,  April,  1777.  During  the  war.  Was  a black  man,  thirty- 
three  years  old. 

Solomon  Parsons.  March,  1777.  During  the  war.  Was  wounded  at 
Monmouth,  and  is  noticed  hereafter. 

Zephaniah  Tucker,  April,  1777. 

Among  the  names  of  those  to  whom  bounties  were  paid  by 
the  town,  on  their  enlistment  into  the  Continental  service  for 
three  years,  I find,  besides  the  above,  — 


William  Tolly.  Enlisted  January,  1777. 

Elijah  Cummings.  Enlisted  January,  1777.  Was  in  Capt.  Smith’s 
company,  thirteenth  Massachusetts  regiment. 

Waite  Upham.  Enlisted  January,  1777. 

Asa  Waite.  Enlisted  January,  1777.  Was  in  the  service  four  years ; 
a part  of  the  time,  in  Capt.  Brown’s  company,  whose  name  was  Ben- 
jamin. He  was  sergeant  in  the  sixth  light  infantry. 

Otho  Silvester.  Enlisted  February,  1777.  Was  in  Brown’s  company 
for  during  the  war.  Died  May  20,  1778. 

Israel  Saunderson.  Enlisted  February,  1777.  Was  in  Capt.  Brown’s 
company,  corporal.  Served  four  years. 

Asa  Souther.  Enlisted  February,  1777.  Was  in  Brown’s  company. 
Served  forty-seven  months ; corporal,  six  months. 

Benjamin  Chamberlin.  Enlisted  March,  1777.  Was  in  Capt.  Brown’s 
company,  a sergeant,  eighth  regiment.  Col.  Michael  Jackson. 

Elisha  Gill.  Enlisted  March,  1777. 

Abijah  Stowers.  Enlisted  April,  1777.  Enlisted  in  Brown’s  company 
during  war.  Served  twelve  and  a half  months.  Died  in  the  army. 

Jesse  Harwood.  Enlisted  April,  1777.  Was  in  Capt.  Brown’s  com- 
pany. 

Timothy  Earle.  Enlisted  April,  1777.  Was  in  Brown’s  company. 
Died  in  the  army,  Nov.  3,  1777. 

Elisha  Wood.  Enlisted  April,  1777.  In  Brown’s  company.  Served 
three  years. 

Patrick  M‘Mann.  Enlisted  January,  1777. 

Gershom  Comings.  „ „ „ 

John  Davis.  „ November,  1777. 

Stephen  Witt.  „ December,  „ 

Samuel  Wood.  „ November,  „ 

John  Eares.  „ January,  1778. 

Samuel  Low.  „ „ „ 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


221 


Abraham  Huet.  Enlisted  January.  1778. 

Richard  Hill.  Enlisted  January,  1778.  Was  in  Capt.  Brown’s  com- 
pany. 

Robert  Green.  Enlisted  January,  1778. 

In  September,  1777,  a detachment  of  troops  was  ordered 
to  join  the  Northern  Army,  and  rendezvous  at  Claverack,  in 
the  Provincial  service.  Col.  Samuel  Denny  was  detailed  to 
command  the  regiment.  Dr.  Isaac  Green  of  Leicester  was 
surgeon.  The  term  of  service  was  for  a single  month  ; but 
in  June,  1778,  a detachment  from  Col.  Denny’s  regiment  was 
made  for  nine  months,  and  marched  to  Fishkill.  The  follow- 
ing Leicester  men  were  in  it  (they  were  between  the  ages 
of  twenty  and  twenty-six) : Zachariah  Smith,  Joseph  Yinton, 
John  Edmunds,  William  Sargent,  James  Graton. 

In  1779,  June  23,  the  following  Leicester  men  joined  Capt. 
Marshall’s  company  in  the  “ Continental  service  ” (they  were 
between  the  ages  of  nineteen  and  twenty-three) : Levi  Chil 
son.  Pardon  Dolbee,  Hosea  Sprague,  James  Snow,  and  Wil- 
liam Webber. 

In  the  return  for  January,  1781,  of  the  troops  enlisted  for 
three  years,  or  during  the  war,  is  the  name  of  Daniel  Coburn 
of  Leicester,  in  the  light  dragoons. 

James  Tucker  was  returned  as  sergeant  in  Capt.  Houdin’s  company.* 
Thomas  Saunderson,  drummer,  in  the  same  company. 

Israel  Saunderson,  corporal,  in  the  sixth  light  infantry. 

Asa  Souther,  corporal,  in  fourth  company. 

Asa  Waite,  sergeant  in  sixth  light  infantry. 

Several  of  the  men  who  enlisted  in  Capt.  Martin’s  company 
had  by  that  time  been  transferred  to  Capt.  Houdin’s  company, 
in  the  fifth  regiment.  Thomas  Seaver  of  Leicester  was  at 
that  time,  with  James  Tucker  and  Asa  Harrington,  in  Col.  Ru- 
fus Putnam’s  Massachusetts  regiment  at  West  Point. 


* Houdin  was  a Frenchman,  who  came  over  and  joined  our  army,  and  received 
a commission  as  captain. 


222 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  July,  1781,  seven  men  from  Leicester  enlisted  into  the 
Continental  service  for  the  term  of  three  months  ; viz.,  Jo- 
tham  Smith,  Isaac  Denny,  Ebenezer  L^pham,  Asa  Matthews, 
Asa  Green,  Marshall  Xewton,  John  Hapgood  Howe.  Some 
of  these  were  not  quite  sixteen  years  of  age. 

The  same  summer.  Dr.  Austin  Flint,  then  of  Shrewsbury, 
was  surgeon  of  Col.  Drury’s  regiment  at  West  Point,  from 
July  26  to  Dec.  20,  1781.  He  had  been  a soldier  in  the  army 
at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  in  October,  1777. 

Col.  William  Henshaw,  the  adjutant-general  of  the  troops 
at  Cambridge  until  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Washington,  has  been 
mentioned  at  length  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Daniel  Davis  of  Leicester  was  in  Col.  Brooks’s  regiment 
in  1777. 

James  Richardson,  James  Redfield,  and  David  Bryant,  were 
in  Col.  Wade’s  regiment  of  Massachusetts  State  troops,  sta- 
tioned at  Rhode  Island,  one  year  from  January,  1778. 

The  roll  of  Capt.  Woodbridge’s  company,  in  the  thirteenth 
Massachusetts  regiment,  has  the  name  of  Ebenezer  Lane,  as 
enlisted  during  the  war  from  Leicester. 

Isaac  Robinson  enlisted  in  Capt.  Brown’s  company,  eighth 
regiment,  for  three  years.  He  died  in  the  army,  after -ten 
and  a half  months’  service,  Feb.  14,  1778. 

Benjamin  Brown  * was  captain  of  a company  of  Continental 
troops  in  the  eighth  (Col.  Michael  Jackson’s)  regiment.  He 
was  in  command  of  the  company  from  January,  1777,  to  July 
23,  1779  ; when  he  resigned. 

Joseph  Washburn  was  in  the  service  from  Jan.  1,  1777,  to 
Dec.  31, 1779, — three  years  ; of  which  time  he  was  twenty-six 
months  ensign,  and  ten  lieutenant.  He  was  at  the  taking  of 
Burgoyne  at  Saratoga,  and  afterwards  in  the  army  under 
Gen.  Washington  in  Xew  Jersey.  Among  the  persons  to 
whom  Leicester  paid  bounties  in  April,  1779,  was  Amos 


• He  was  a son  of  Capt.  John  Brown  of  Leicester. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


223 


Gleason.  Abel  Green  was  in  the  three  years’  service  in 
1779. 

The  company  which  Capt.  Martin  had  commanded'^  was 
called,  in  the  returns  of  1782,  the  Major’s  company.”  There 
was  one  company  in  the  regiment  called  “ the  Colonels ; ” and 
one,  the  “ Lieutenant-Colonels.” 

John  Holden  was  an  officer  in  the  Continental  service  from 
January,  1777.  He  was  in  the  storming  party  under  Gen. 
Wayne,  which  took  the  works  on  Stony  Point;  one  of  the 
most  gallant,  daring  feats  of  the  whole  war. 

Peter  Salem,  who  is  noticed  in  another  part  of  this  work, 
and  who,  while  a soldier,  belonged  to  Framingham,  was  in 
Capt.  Holden’s  company  in  1779  ; and  Cain  Bowman,  who  had 
been  a slave  in  Leicester,  was  mustered  as  a soldier  in  1778. 

Among  those  who  received  pensions  for  services  in  the 
Revolutionary  Army  were  Elijah  Southgate  and  Jonas  Stone, 
then  living  in  Shrewsbury^  though  belonging  to  Leicester 
before  their  removal  to  that  town. 

Besides  those  already  mentioned  as  members  of  Capt.  Mar- 
tin’s company  in  September,  1777,  at  Albany,  then  under  com- 
mand of  Ensign  Washburn,  were  the  following  belonging  to 
Leicester : — 

Elias  Green,  enlisted  for  eight  months. 

Phinelias  Green,  „ „ „ „ 

John  Green,  „ „ „ „ 

Pliny  Green,  ,,  „ ,,  ,, 

I have  before  mentioned  Seth  Washburn,  son  of  Col.  Seth, 
as  having  marched  to  Cambridge  in  April,  1775,  from  Wilbra- 
ham.  He  afterwards  lived  in  Hardwick;  and  in  July,  1777, 
was  a soldier  in  an  expedition  to  Providence  and  Rhode  Island. 
In  August,  the  same  year,  he  marched  to  Bennington  in  Col. 
James  Converse’s  regiment.  He  was  afterwards  in  the  ser- 
vice, and  died  in  the  army,  in  New  York,  on  Governor’s  Island. 


* He  resigned  June  28,  1779. 


224 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  the  regiment  of  Col.  Brown,  in  the  eight  months’  service 
in  1TT5,  Ebenezer  Washburn,  brother  of  Capt.  Seth,  who  had 
removed  from  Leicester  to  Hardwick,  was  quartermaster. 

In  July,  1780,  a draught  of  seventeen  men  was  made  from 
Leicester  to  join  the  Continental  Army  for  six  months  in  Capt. 
Frothingham’s  company  of  artillery,  in  the  fourth  division. 
The  following  young  men  were  drawn,  then  being  between 
the  ages  of  seventeen  and  twenty-one,  — only  four  as  old  as 
twenty-one : — 

John  Sar^eant. 

Thomas  Harmon. 

Pardon  Dolbee. 

Ebenezer  B.  Upham. 

James  Trumbull. 

Daniel  Brown. 

Luther  Ward. 

Isaac  Morse,  jun. 

Abiel  Johnson. 

I find  the  memorandum  of  an  order  of  July  10,  1781,  in 
these  words:  “Lieut.  Josiah  Brown  ordered  to  go  with  the 
men  to  Yarmouth  for  three  months.” 

The  same  date,  “ Lieut.  Nathan  Craige  ordered  to  go  with 
the  men  to  Rhode  Island  for  five  months.”  But  the  names 
of  those  who  constituted  the  companies  or  detachments  in 
either  of  the  above  requisitions,  I cannot  ascertain. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  time  in  the  eight  months’  ser- 
vice, Mr.  Craige  joined  the  company  of  Capt.  Prouty,  Col. 
Cushing’s  regiment,  in  1777,  and  marched  to  Bennington; 
from  there  to  Half  Moon,  on  North  River ; and  returned  to 
Bennington  the  day  of  the  battle,  but  after  its  close. 

He  was  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne.  After  that,  he  was 
a sergeant  in  Capt.  Harrington’s  company  at  Roxbury ; and 
was  detailed  upon  the  guard  over  Burgoyne’s  men,  then  pri- 
soners of  war. 

He  was  five  months  at  Newport,  in  1781,  in  Capt.  Elliot’s 


Gershom  Cummings. 
Benjamin  Hubbard. 
Hosea  Sprague. 

John  Green. 

Joseph  Washburn,  jun.* 
James  Smith. 

John  Hasey. 

Abijah  Craige. 


* Was  a nephew  of  Col.  Seth. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


225 


company,  in  Col.  Turner’s  regiment.  The  captain  belonged 
to  Sutton. 

Samuel  Sargent,  who  married  Capt.  Washburn’s  daughter, 
was  in  the  same  company,  and  messed  with  Mr.  Craige  at  the 
taking  of  Burgoyne. 

William  Todd  of  Leicester  was  commissioned  as  captain  of 
a company  of  artillery  in  October,  1776.  John  Southgate 
was  his  captain-lieutenant.”  The  company  was  the  eighth 
in  the  regiment,  and  was  raised  partly  in  Leicester.  It  was 
attached  to  Col.  Craft’s  regiment,  and  was  in  service  two 
or  more  years.  They  were  stationed,  some  of  the  time,  at 
Boston,  some  at  Dorchester  ; twice  were  ordered  to  Rhode 
Island  ; and,  in  the  autumn  of  1777,  took  part  in  an  engage- 
ment with  the  enemy  at  Tiverton. 

David  Henshaw,  brother  of  Col.  William,  commanded  a 
company  in  the  same  regiment  as  Capt.  Todd. 

Col.  William  Henshaw,  after  retiring  from  the  army  in  1775, 
was  appointed  lieutenant-colonel  in  Col.  Little’s  regiment  of 
Continental  troops  in  April,  1776  ; and  accepted  office  at  the 
personal  solicitation  of  Gen.  Washington.  He  joined  Gen. 
Green’s  brigade  at  New  York ; had  an  engagement  with  the 
enemy  at  Flatbush ; was  with  Gen.  Washington’s  army  at 
Trenton,  Princeton  Battle,  &c.  He  was  also  in  the  battle  of 
White  Plains : but  of  this  more  has  been  said  in  the  notice 
of  Col.  Henshaw  in  this  work  ; my  object  being  chiefly  to 
enumerate  the  men,  and  their  rank  in  the  army,  who  belonged 
to  or  were  immediately  connected  with  Leicester. 

Among  those  to  be  mentioned  indiscriminately,  because  it 
is  not  known  to  what  companies  they  were  attached,  was 
Peter  Silvester,  jun.,  who  was  at  Saratoga  at  the  taking  of 
Burgoyne. 

Joseph  Bass  was  in  the  water-service,”  under  Com.  Tup- 
per  in  1776,  and  was  engaged  in  an  attempt  to  destroy  the 
British  frigates  in  North  River,  of  which  an  account  is  given 
in  this  work.  Elijah  Hersey  and  Nathaniel  Sargent  were 

29 


226 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


soldiers  in  the  service.  Capt.  Livingston  was  paid  by  the 
town  for  the  expense  of  a horse  to  go  to  the  taking  of  Bur- 
goyne  ; ” and  the  presumption  is  that  he  was  accompanied  by 
a part  or  all  of  the  company  under  his  command. 

The  company  of  artillery  commanded  by  David  Henshaw, 
already  mentioned,  was  organized  in  September,  1776,  and  at- 
tached as  the  tenth  company  to  the  regiment  of  Col.  Thomas 
Crafts.  It  belonged  to  the  Continental  establishment  in  the 
three  years,  or  during-the-war  service.  Upon  the  roll  of  that 
company  I find  the  following  Leicester  men : viz.,  Peleg  Ker- 
sey, sergeant;  Nathan  Green,  corporal;  Jabez  Paine,  Bailey 
Bond,  Ebenezer  Upham. 

In  Capt.  Todd’s  company,  Samuel  Sargent,  son  of  Jonathan 
(to  distinguish  him  from  one  of  the  same  name  already  men- 
tioned), was  enlisted;  but  in  the  muster-roll  of  December, 
1776,  of  that  company,  the  only  Leicester  names  it  contains 
are  William  Laughton,  (Lawton);  Nathaniel  Richardson  ; Tho- 
mas Dunbar,  sergeant;  Benjamin  Leviston,  corporal ; William 
Gilkey,  Hosea  Sprague,  Andrew  Scott,  John  Works,  Abner 
Snow. 

Dr.  John  Honey  wood  joined  the  army  as  a surgeon  in  Col. 
Brown’s  regiment,  and  died  at  Ticonderoga,  while  in  the  ser- 
vice, November,  1776. 

Dr.  Isaac  Green  was  a second  time  surgeon  in  the  service 
at  Saratoga,  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne,  in  October,  1777. 

Incomplete  as  the  foregoing  list  may  be,  it  speaks  highly  in 
favor  of  the  patriotism  and  public  spirit  of  the  town,  when  it 
is  recollected,  that,  in  1781,  the  whole  number  of  names  borne 
upon  the  train  ” and  “ alarm-list  ” of  soldiers  in  town,  and 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  was  but  one  hundred  and  fifty-one, 
of  whom  forty-nine  were  upon  the  alarm-list. 

COMMITTEES  OF  CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 

I am  unable  to  ascertain  Avhen  the  first  committee  of  this 
kind  was  chosen,  or  the  names  of  its  members.  The  sugges- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


227 


tion  of  such  committees  seems  to  have  come  from  the  House 
of  Burgesses  of  Virginia.  There  was  such  a committee  exist- 
ing herein  December,  1773;  and,  in  1774,  William  Henshaw 
was  its  chairman.  The  other  members  were  Thomas  Denny, 
Joseph  Henshaw,  Benjamin  Conklin,  Hezekiah  AVard,  and 
Thomas  Newhall.  In  1775,  Col.  Samuel  Denny  was  added,  in 
May.  The  same  year,  in  July,  AVilliam  Green,  Samuel  Green, 
and  Joseph  Sargeant,  were  added. 

In  Alarch,  1776,  the  committee  consisted  of  Joseph  Hen- 
shaw, James  Baldwin,  jun.,  Robert  Craige,  Benjamin  Richard- 
son, and  Boring  Lincoln. 

In  September,  Hezekiah  Ward  and  Robert  Henry  were 
added. 

In  1777,  Joseph  Henshaw,  John  Fletcher,  Benjamin  Rich- 
ardson,* James  Baldwin,  jun.,  Isaac  Green,  Phinehas  Newhall, 
and  William  Henshaw. 

1778,  Samuel  Denny,  William  Henshaw,  Joseph  Sprague, 
Thomas  Green,  John  Fletcher,  Joseph  Sargent,  and  Dr.  Isaac 
Green. 

1779,  Samuel  Upham,  Henry  King,  Benjamin  Watson,  Mat- 
thew Scott,  Jonathan  Sargent. 

As  the  Constitution  was  adopted  early  in  1780,  and  a regu- 
lar government  soon  after  organized,  the  committee  last 
named  were  probably  the  last  elected.! 

Their  powers  were  undefined  by  any  statute  ; nor  was 
there  any  precedent  to  guide  them  in  the  administration  of 
their  office.  They  derived  their  existence  and  authority 
from  the  condition  of  the  country,  and  were  discontinued  the 
moment  the  necessity  for  such  a body  of  officers  ceased. 


Mr.  Richardson  moved  out  of  town  in  1777. 

t I find  an  election  in  1782  of  the  following  persons  as  a “ Committee  of  Safety;” 
viz.,  William  Earle,  John  Southgate,  Thomas  Newhall,  Ebenezer  Kent,  and  William 
Green.  But  the  nature  of  their  duty  is  not  stated.  It  probably  answered  to  the  old 
Committee  of  Correspondence;  and  was  intended  to  aid  in  furnishing  men  and  stores 
for  the  army,  as  requisitions  might  be  made. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  early  tax-lists  furnish  considerable  information  as  to 
the  general  and  individual  condition  of  the  people  of  the  town 
at  that  day.  Thus,  in  1729,  John  Lynde  was  assessed  for 
1,520  acres  of  land  ; Samuel  Green,  929  ; Richard  Southgate, 
600  ; Thomas  Steele,  736  ; William  Ward,  500  ; William  Green, 
425;  Thomas  Richardson,  313 ; James  Southgate,  300  ; Thomas 
Xewhall,  282:  and  Joshua  Xichols,  270. 

In  1731,  Richard  Southgate,  Thomas  Xewhall,  Thomas 
Green,  and  Thomas  Gill,  were  each  taxed  one  shilling  for 
“ negers : ’’  which  were  set  down  in  the  list  as  “ personal 
estate.’’ 

In  1735,  I find  one  tax  assessed  “ to  pay  the  schoolmaster,” 
<£21.  6s.  6d. ; another,  to  pay  the  town’s  debts,”  £300; 
another,  -‘the  ministry  rate  for  1734,”  £75;  another,  ‘Hhe 
county  tax,”  £7  ; another,  the  Province  rate,”  £48. 16s.  8d. 
In  March,  1736,  a tax  was  assessed  of  £30  “to  pay  Jonathan 
Sargent  to  entertain  the  Council.” 

One  thing  to  be  remarked,  in  examining  these  tax-lists,  is 
the  singular  equality  of  taxable  property  in  the  north  and 
south  parts  of  the  town,  as  divided  by  the  Great  Post  Road. 
Of  the  Province  tax,  in  1735,  of  £48.  16s.  8d.,  £24.  15s.  4d. 
were  assessed  upon  those  living  upon  the  north  side,  and  £24. 
Is.  4d.  upon  those  on  the  south  side,  of  this  line. 

Another  thing  to  be  observed  is  the  general  equality  of 
wealth  among  the  citizens  of  the  town.  Of  the  tax  of  £300 
in  January,  1735,  while  no  one  was  assessed  more  than  £8.  8s. 
lid.,  and  only  one  as  high  as  £8,  one  alone  is  assessed  below 
£1 ; and  only  sixteen,  out  of  a total  of  ninety-seven,  were  as- 
sessed below  £2.  Probably  the  reason  of  the  difference  there 
w’as  in  the  valuation  between  the  north  and  south  parts  of  the 
town  was,  that  in  the  former  there  were  fifty-four  persons, 
and  in  the  latter  fort}"-three,  to  be  taxed. 

In  1735,  Onesephorus  Pike  paid  the  highest  tax  in  town; 
John  Lynde,  the  next;  Richard  Southgate,  the  next;  John 
MOIaster,  the  next ; and  Thomas  Green,  the  next. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


229 


There  were  thirteen  taxes  assessed  between  1722  and  1729, 
including  those  years,  amounting  to  more  than  £1,000  ; illus- 
trating what  I have  elsewhere  stated,  — the  heavy  burdens  to 
which  the  town  was  at  first  subjected.* 

The  following  families  were  residing  here  in  1721,  and 
many  of  them  at  an  earlier  period:  William  Brown,  John 
Burton,  Aaron  Bell,  Joshua  Barton,  Bartholomew  Curtis,  Peter 
Carlisle,  Arthur  Carey,  who  came  from  Billerica,  settled  on 
Carey  Hill,  and  removed  to  Brookfield ; Daniel  Denny,  Ralf 
and  William  Earle,  Samuel  Green,  John  Peters,  who  came 
from  Lexington : David  Parsons,  the  minister  ; Thomas  Rich- 
ardson and  Xathaniel  Richardson,  from  Malden ; Hezekiah 
Russ,  from  Lexington  ; James  and  Richard  Southgate,  John 
Smith,  from  Weston  ; Samuel,  John,  and  Joseph  Stebbins,  from 
England  ; Thomas  Smith,  Moses  Stockbridge,  from  Billerica ; 
William  Green,  William  Keen,  John  Lynde,  from  Malden; 
Daniel  Livermore,  from  Wejton;  John  Menzies,  Joshua  Nich- 
ols, from  Malden;  Thomas  Newhall,  from  Malden;  James 
Smith,  John  Smith,  jun.,  Samuel  Thomas,  Rowland  Taylor, 
Adam  Taber,  James  Wilson,  from  Lexington;  William  Ward, 
from  Marlborough  ; and  Thomas  Westcott  and  Oliver  Watson. 

The  following  are  mentioned  in  the  records  in  1722,  though 
they  were  probably  here  prior  to  that  date : John  Boynes, 
John  Potter,  John  Saunderson,  Benjamin  Johnson,  and  John 
Watson. 

In  March,  1771,  the  selectmen  made  a report  of  the  names 
of  the  persons  who  had  come  into  town  since  April,  1767, 
with  the  places  from  which  they  came ; which,  with  two  or 
three  additional  names,  are  as  follow : — 

Zaccheus  Ballard,  from  Framingham,  May,  1770.  He  had  a family, 
and  lived  on  Ballard  Hill,  where  there  is  now  a cellar. 

Jonathan  Barton,  from  Spencer,  April,  1774. 


* Among  the  sums  paid  during  this  period  was  “a  bill  allowed  to  Mr.  Richard 
Southgate  for  making  ye  stocks,  and  stuff  to  mend  ye  pound,”  16s. 


230 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Joseph  Allen,  from  Boston,  November,  1771;  afterwards  of  Worces- 
ter. 

Mary  Allen,  from  Boston,  November,  1771.  Married  Rev.  Mr. 
Avery,  Holden. 

Samuel  Allen,  from  Boston,  November,  1771  ; afterwards  of  Worcester. 
County  treasurer. 

William  Crossman,  from  Hopkinton.  Lived  on  the  South  Road,  a 
short  distance  beyond  Mrs.  Hobart’s. 

Adam  Collins,  from  Pelham,  N.H.,  1769. 

Michael  Carey,  from  Boston,  spring,  1770. 

Jonathan  Collier,  from  Weymouth,  1770. 

Isaac  Choate,  from  Ipswich,  1773.  Lived  at  the  Elliot  Place,  on  the 
North  County  Road. 

Caleb  Earle,  from  Chester,  N.Y.,  1770. 

Thomas  Faxon,  from  Braintree,  1770. 

Watt  Fannel,  stranger,  1769. 

Ezekiel  Fosgate,  from  Bolton,  winter,  1769.  Trader;  built  and  traded 
in  store  on  what  is  now  the  Common. 

Joseph  Gleason,  from  Oxford,  1770. 

Semple  Gilkey,  from  Plainfield,  Conn.,  April,  1773. 

William  Gilkey,  Hannah  his  wife,  and  Rebecca  his  daughter,  from 
Plainfield,  JMay  19,  1773. 

Daniel  Hayden,  from  Gloucester,  R.I.,  1770. 

Sarah  Hunt  and  Richard  Hunt,  children  of  Hayden’s  wife,  from 
Gloucester,  R.I.,  1770. 

Cornelius  Holton,  from  Union,  Conn.,  1769. 

Elijah  Howe,  from  Paxton,  spring,  1769.  On  Mount  Pleasant,  oppo- 
site the  Moore  Place. 

John  Boulster  Hubbard,  from  Brinfield,  1769. 

Thomas  Hammond,  from  Newton,  1770.  Afterwards  removed  to 
V ermont. 

Lucy  Hammond  and  Anna  Hammond,  from  Newton,  February,  1771. 

Jonathan  Johnson,  and  Rachel  his  wife,  from  Petersham,  January,  1774. 

Silas  Kendal,  from  Winchendon,  1770. 

Isaac  Lynde,  from  Spencer,  1769. 

Hannah  Niles,  from  Braintree,  October,  1769. 

John  Newhall,  Dorothy  Newhall,  Mercy  Newhall,  and  Phebe  Newhall, 
from  Spencer,  1774. 

Alexander  Parkman,  from  Westborough,  1770.  Clothier,  in  Cherry 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


231 


Jonathan  Phillips,  from  Oxford,  1770. 

John  Phillips,  from  Smithfield,  R.I.,  1771. 

Ebenezer  Prescott,  Jerusha  his  wife.  Patience,  Ebenezer,  and  Fortune, 
children,  from  Paxton,  December,  1773. 

James  Richardson,  from  Spencer,  1768. 

Benjamin  Sherman,  from  Swanzey,  1771. 

Thomas  Sibley,  from  Boston,  1770. 

Luther  Torrey,  from  Abington,  fall,  1770. 

Peter  Valentine,  from  Plainfield,  Conn.,  1773. 

Hezekiah  Ward,  from  Grafton,  1768.  Lived  at  what  is  now  the 
Town’s  Farm. 

In  1776,  the  town  was  divided  into  nine  school  districts; 
and  the  names  of  the  several  families  constituting  these,  ex- 
cept the  ninth,  were  recorded.  I have  copied  them,  first, 
to  show  who  were  the  active  citizens  of  the  town  during 
the  Revolution ; and,  second,  the  places  of  their  residence, 
which  has  already  become,  and  will  hereafter  be  more,  a 
matter  of  interesting  inquiry. 

FIRST  DISTRICT. 

Thomas  Steele  lived  at  the  Rawson  House. 

Seth  Washburn,  where  J.  Loring  lives. 

Elijah  Lathrop,  tavern  ; where  Hiram  Knight’s  house  is. 

Nathan  Waite,  tavern  ; opposite  Meeting-house. 

Benjamin  Richardson,  where  Mrs.  S.  Newhall  lives. 

Joseph  Allen,  where  the  old  Academy  stood. 

Benjamin  Conklin,  where  Mr.  May  lives. 

Peter  Silvester,  where  cellar  is  on  east  side  of  Meeting-house  Hill. 
Reuben  Earle,  at  tan-yard  at  foot  of  the  hill. 

Phinehas  Sargent’s  farm,  at  Nathan  Waite’s  tavern. 

Joshua  Crossman  and  William  Crossman,  cellar  beyond  Mrs.  Hobart’s, 
on  east  side  of  the  road. 

Richard  Bond,  house  north  of  Eber  Bond’s. 

Benjamin  Bond,  south  of  the  house  where  Eber  Bond  lives. 

Jonathan  Bond,  house  where  S.  Gleason  lived. 

William  Watson,  where  Mr.  Lyon  lives. 

James  Graton,  cellar  in  pasture  west  of  Eber  Bond’s. 


232 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


James  Harwood,  cellar  west  of  J.  Graton’s. 

Thomas  Hutchinson,  farm. 

SECOND  DISTRICT. 

Joshua  Henshaw  and  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw,  Mount-Pleasant  House. 
Perley  Brown,  on  MTntire  Farm;  house  next  east  of  schoolhouse,  on 
the  Great  Road. 

Ephraim  Mower  and  Thomas  Mower,  farm  formerly  of  Col.  H.  Sar- 
gent. 

Elijah  Howe,  cellar  opposite  Mowers’. 

Jonathan  Sargent,  jun.,  where  Artemas  Lamb  lives. 

Nathan  Hersey,  next  east  of  Capt.  Trask’s. 

Elijah  Hersey,  Capt.  Trask  Place.  Elijah  Hersey  built  the  Capt. 
Trask  House. 

John  Watson’s  farm,  next  west  of  Capt.  Trask’s. 

Ebenezer  Warren,  where  Elijah  died;  was  father  of  Elijah  Warren. 
Jonathan  Warren,  where  Jos.  Warren  lives. 

Thomas  New'hall,  where  R.  Watson  lived  and  died. 

Richard  Southgate,  cellar  west  of  Burntcoat  Brook.  Baptist  Elder. 
Richard  Southgate,  jun.,  where  David  Dumb  lived. 

Anthony  Sprague,  old  house  near  O.  C.  Silvester’s. 

Ephraim  Mower,  jun.,  cellar  north-west  of  Peter  Silvester  Place. 

John  Brown,  where  Peter  Silvester  died. 

Nathaniel  Harrod,  opposite  where  William  Silvester  lives. 

THIRD  DISTRICT. 

William  Todd,  the  Henshaw  Farm. 

John  Southgate,  where  he  died. 

Richard  Gleason,  and  Richard  Gleason,  jun.,  cellar  in  Samuel  Waite’s 
Pasture. 

Alexander  Parkman,  where  Rufus  Upham  lived. 

Thomas  Earle,  where  Heman  Burr  lives. 

Matthew  Watson,  saddler;  where  N.  Holman  lives. 

Peleg  Hersey,  house  near  the  Cutting  House. 

Ebenezer  Upham,  shoemaker  ; house  where  Shepherd  lived. 

Joseph  Sargent,  house  east  of  where  Asa  Sargent  died. 

Nathan  Sargent,  where  Sewall  lives. 

Daniel  Henshaw',  opposite  Edwin  Waite’s. 

David  Henshaw  built  Edwin  Waite’s  house  in  1770. 

William  Henshaw',  Lynde  Place. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


233 


Nathaniel  Waite,  Samuel  Waite  Place. 

Mrs.  Denny,  widow  of  Thomas;  the  old  Denny  Farm. 

Robert  Henry,  Robert  Young  Place. 

Matthew  Scott,  farm  south  of  Robert  Young’s. 

Judge  Chandler’s  flirm. 

FOURTH  DISTRICT. 

Jabez  Green,  where  Abel  died. 

Antipas  Earle,  in  the  hollow  west  of  Abel  Green’s. 

Gardner  Earle,  Gardner  Wilson’s. 

Ebenezer  Kent,  and  Ebenezer  Kent,  jun.,  where  Capt.  Daniel  Kent 
died. 

Robert  Earle,  the  Pliny  Earle  Place. 

Robert  Earle,  jun.,  house  between  Pliii}'-  and  Timothy  Earle  Places. 
Joshua  Silvester,  where  Erastus  Wheaton  lived. 

John  Dunbar,  where  John  Silvester  lived. 

William  Earle,  Nathaniel  Earle  House. 

Loring  Lincoln,  house  east  of  A.  Marshall’s. 

John  Wheaton,  A.  Marshall’s ; formerly  Silas  Earle’s. 

Phinehas  Newhall,  tavern ; whFre  Eddy  lives.  House  removed,  and 
new  one  built. 

Reuben  Swan,  where  L.  G.  Sturtevant  lives. 

FIFTH  DISTRICT. 

Hezekiah  Ward,  the  Poor  Farm.  Moved  to  Paxton,  and  Timothy 
Sprague  bought  the  farm. 

John  Potter  and  Nathaniel  Potter,  Jonah  Earle  Place,  west  of  Quaker 
Meeting-house. 

Joseph  Sprague,  Ca^it.  William  Sprague  Place. 

Daniel  Hubbard,  where  Jacob  Bond  died. 

Jabez  Pain,  next  east  of  Jos.  Whittemore’s. 

James  Wliittemore,  Jos.  Wliittemore  Place. 

Timothy  Sprague,  Holden  Place,  north  of  Hubbard’s. 

Daniel  Snow,  old  house  south  of  B.  Upham’s  Place. 

Nathan  Snow,  George  Upham’s ; formerly  Barnard’s. 

Sarah  Denny,  next  north  of  Barnard  Upha^ii.  Afterwards  married 
Seth  Washburn. 

Isaac  Choate,  the  Elliot  Place. 

Jonathan  Knight,  next  to  Horace  Knight’s  house. 

O’  o 

Jacob  Wicker,  west  of  Mr.  Knight’s,  on  the  Eddy  Road. 

30 


234 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


SIXTH  DISTRICT. 

Samuel  Denny,  south  side  of  Moose  Hill. 

Thomas  Snow,  where  Abner  Snow  died. 

John  Watson  and  Samuel  Watson,  Asa  B.  Watson  Plaee. 

Joshua  Converse,  cellar  east  of  the  Watsons. 

Benjamin  Liviston,  house  gone ; where  Joel  Marsh  lived. 

Dr.  Solo  Parsons,  at  the  Gage  Place. 

John  AYilliams,  next  to  James  Whittemore’s.  He  was  a shoemaker. 
Widow  Sawin,  west  of  Benjamin  Livingston’s. 

Jacob  Briant,  Jos.  Bryant  Place. 

William  Thompson,  farm  north-east  of  Braddyl  Livermore’s. 

Widow  Goodenow,  farm  near  Braddyl  Livermore’s. 

Jabez  Green,  jun.,  where  Zolvah  lives. 

Christopher  W^heaton,  the  David  Wicker  Place. 

Benjamin  Saunderson,  the  George  Bond  Place. 

Benjamin  Converse,  the  Eddy  House. 

SEVENTH  DISTRICT. 

William  Green,  Amos  Whittemore  Place. 

Thomas  Green’s  farm,  occupied  by  John  Greaton ; Elijah  Thayer 
Place. 

John  Wilson,  Mrs.  Kingsbury’s  Place. 

Deacon  Fletcher,  Jonathan  Warren’s  old  place. 

Gideon  Smith,  Elkanah  Haven  Place. 

Jonathan  Newhall,  opposite  N.  Craig’s  house,  Sadler  Place. 

John  Brown,  jun.,  Daniel  Muzzy  Place. 

Nathan  Lumb,  where  Isaac  Livermore  died. 

Rev.  M.  Foster,  where  Caleb  Barton  lived. 

Dr.  Isaac  Green,  Charles  Barton’s. 

Abijah  Stower,  Baptist  Parsonage. 

Phinehas  Barton  and  Cornelius  Houghton,  various  places. 

Samuel  Green,  old  Tavern  House. 

Samuel  Richardson,  Copeland  Place. 

Ebenezer  Upham,  house  next  south  of  Deacon  Rockwood’s. 

Samuel  Upham,  Deacon  Rockwood  Place. 

Caleb  Nichols,  on  cross-road,  north-west  of  Eben  Dunbar’s. 

Henry  King,  John  King  Place. 

Isaac  Livermore,  at  foot  of  Livermore  Hill,  west  side  of  road. 

Jockton  Green,  Richard  Bond,  jun.,  Place. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


235 


Jonathan  Newhall,  jun.,  opposite  Baptist  Meeting-house. 
Micah  Livermore,  Daniel  Livermore  Place. 

EIGHTH  DISTRICT. 

TYilliam  Gilkey,  the  Trask  Place. 

Matthew  Scott,  Eben  Dunbar  Place. 

Jonas  Livermore,  Salem’s  Place. 

Benjamin  Watson,  where  he  died. 

Nathaniel  Richardson,  Bridge’s  Place. 

Dr.  Clark’s  farm. 

Eio^ht  families  living  in  what  is  now  Auburn. 


NINTH  DISTRICT. 


Names  not  given.  Among  them  were  — 


Solomon  Green,  in  the  Wilby 
Cottage. 

Thomas  Parker,  the  John  Parker 
Place. 

Benjamin  Baldwin. 

James  Baldwin.  -- 


Ebenezer  Baldwins 
Stephen  Baldwin. 
David  Baldwin. 
Jos.  Trumbull. 
Peter  Trumbull. 
Robert  Craig. 


PERSONAL  NOTICES. 

Several  of  the  persons  contained  in  the  foregoing  list  of 
families  deserve  a fuller  notice  than  has  thus  far  been  given 
of  them. 

Col.  William  Henshaw  stands  prominently  among  these. 
He  was  born  in  Boston,  1735  ; and  removed  to  Leicester,  with 
his  father  (Daniel  Henshaw,  Esq.),  in  1748.  While  he  resided 
in  Boston,  he  attended  school,  studied  Latin  among  other 
things,  and  was  partly  fitted  for  college. 

He  remained  with  his  father  till  he  was  of  age ; about 
which  time  he  was  commissioned  as  a lieutenant  in  the 
Provincial  troops;  and,  in  1759,  was  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Amherst  at  Ticonderoga.  After  a service  of  Dvo  cam- 
paigns, he  returned  home  to  his  farm. 

The  approach  of  the  Revolution  found  Mr.  Henshaw  ready 
to  go  with  the  country,  and  prompt  to  engage  in  all  the 


236 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


popular  measures  which  engaged  attention  preparatory  to 
the  vindication  of  the  rights  of  the  Colonies  by  resort  to 
arms.  He  was  one  of  the  jurors  who,  at  the  April  Term  of 
the  Superior  Court  at  Worcester,  refused  to  be  sworn  if  Chief- 
Justice  Oliver  was  to  be  present  and  act.  The  remonstrance 
was  drawn  by  him,  and  is  a spirited  and  able  paper. 

There  were  several  county  conventions  held  in  Worcester 
between  the  9th  August,  1774,  and  21st  April,  1775,  in  which 
he  took  a prominent  and  active  part;  and  it  is  said,  that,  at 
one  of  these,  he  was  the  first  to  propose  the  measure  which 
was  so  readil}^  adopted  among  the  militia  of  the  Province, — 
to  form  companies  of  minute-men,’’  so  called,  because  they 
were  to  hold  themselves  ready  to  march  upon  a moment’s 
warning  if  any  demonstration  should  be  made  towards  co- 
ercing the  Colony  by  military  force.  He  was  made  colonel 
of  a regiment  of  minute-men  raised  in  the  county  of  Worces- 
ter. 

Upon  hearing  of  the  march  of  the  British  troops  to  Lexing- 
ton, he  issued  his  orders  to  his  field  and  subaltern  officers 
and  their  companies  to  meet  him  at  Worcester  at  ten 
o’clock  that  night.  Before  twelve,  he,  with  his  regimental 
officers,  was  on  his  way  to  Cambridge,  which  they  reached 
the  next  forenoon. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  troops  at  Cambridge  by  an 
enlistment  of  men  for  eight  months.  Col.  Henshaw  was  ap- 
pointed adjutant-general,  though  he  was  not  commissioned  as 
such  till  the  27th  June;  and  held  office  until  the  arrival  of 
Gen.  Washington  at  Cambridge  with  Adjutant-Gen.  Gates, 
under  a commission  from  the  Continental  Congress. 

In  May  of  that  year,  he  was  a member  of  the  Council  of 
War ; and,  as  chairman  of  a subcommittee  of  that  body,  made 
a reconnoissance,  and  reported  upon  the  subject  of  occupying 
and  fortifying  Bunker  Hill. 

This  report  was  dated  on  the  12th  May;  and  it  was  by  the 
advice  of  the  Board  of  officers,  of  which  he  was  a member. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


237 


that  works  were  laid  out  which  were  to  be  occupied  by  the 
American  troops ; the  attempt  to  do  which  led  to  the  battle 
of  the  17th  June. 

After  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Gates,  Col.  Henshaw,  at  his  per- 
sonal solicitation,  continued  to  act  as  his  assistant  for  the 
term  of  five  or  six  months,  when  he  returned  to  Leicester."^* 

In  1776,  he  was  appointed  a lieutenant-colonel,  under  Col. 
Little,  of  the  twelfth  Massachusetts  regiment,  in  the  Conti- 
nental service  ; and  accepted  the  office  at  the  personal  desire 
of  Gen.  Washington.  He  joined  the  army  at  New  York,  in 
Gen.  Green’s  brigade ; and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  ope- 
rations against  the  enemy,  upon  Long  Island.  In  the  severe 
and  bloody  encounter  with  the  British  troops  at  Flatbush, 
he  was,  with  his  regiment,  surrounded  by  the  enemy’s  forces ; 
and,  after  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Sullivan,  cut  his  way  through 
their  ranks  in  a most  gallant  manner,  and  reached  Brooklyn. 
The  battle  was  a disastrous  one ; but  gained,  for  those  who 
took  part  in  it,  great  credit  for  bravery  and  resolution. 

After  retreating  from  Long  Island,  the  army  took  up  its 
position  at  last  at  White  Plains ; wdiere  another  battle  was 
fought,  in  which  Col.  Henshaw  took  an  active  part. 

In  November  of  1776,  he  was  offered  the  post  of  colonel  of 
a regiment,  but  declined  it,  though  he  continued  in  the  ser- 
vice. He  was  attached  to  that  part  of  the  army  which  was 
under  Gen.  Lee,  and  marched  into  New  Jersey.  After  the 
capture  of  that  general,  he  was  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Sullivan;  and,  \i  the  absence  of  Col.  Little,  had  command  of 
the  twelfth  regiment.  He  was  with  Gen.  Washington  in  the 
passage  of  the  Delaware,  and  at  the  attack  on  Princeton, — 
two  of  the  important  and  memorable  events  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

He  continued  with  the  army  till  February,  1777 ; when  he 


* He  wap,  by  ppecial  vote  of  the  House,  allowed  compensation  as  adjutant-general 
from  27th  June  to  1st  August,  1775. 


238 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


resigned,  and  returned  home.  His  zeal  and  activity  in  the 
cause  of  the  Kevolution  did  not  cease  with  his  retirement  to 
civil  life.  He  was  an  active  patriot,  and  an  enlightened,  high- 
minded  citizen ; and  did  much  to  keep  alive  the  spirit  which 
carried  the  country  through  that  struggle  and  its  subsequent 
difficulties. 

He  was  repeatedly  chosen  to  represent  the  town  in  the 
General  Court,  and  was  for  many  years  an  active  magistrate. 
He  was  of  that  class  which,  unfortunately,  is  becoming  a 
matter  of  history,  — a gentleman  of  the  old  school.  There 
was  a courtesy  of  manner,  a dignity  of  bearing,  and  a self- 
possessed  deportment,  in  their  intercourse,  which  character- 
ized the  officers  of  the  higher  grades  in  the  army,  which  they 
acquired  in  their  association  with  each  other  and  by  their 
habits  of  command,  which  they  retained  through  life. 

Col.  Henshaw  had  these  to  a remarkable  degree.  He  re- 
tained the  costume  of  his  earlier  regime,  — his  cocked  hat, 
boots,  and  spurs.  He  rode  a horse  with  much  grace ; and 
moved,  when  he  walked,  with  a firm  step  and  an  erect 
person.  He  was  social  in  his  feelings  and  habits,  an  agree- 
able talker,  and  a pleasant  and  interesting  companion.  He 
was  a liberal  supporter  of  the  religious  and  educational  insti- 
tutions of  the  town.  He  died  February,  1820,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five.  He  lived,  for  many  years  before  his  death,  where 
Mr.  Edwin  Waite  now  lives,  upon  the  farm  which  had  belonged 
to  his  father. 

He  married  Ruth  Sargent,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Sargent, 
in  1762,  for  his  first  wife  ; and  Phebe  Swan,  a sister  of  Reuben 
Swan,  in  1771,  for  his  second.  The  names  of  their  children 
will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

David  Henshaw  was  the  youngest  son  of  Daniel,  and 
brother  of  Joseph  and  William.  He  was  born  in  Boston, 
1774 ; and  removed  with  his  father  to  Leicester  at  the  age  of 
four  years.  His  school  education  was  principally  acquired  in 
Boston. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


239 


In  September,  1776,  he  was  commissioned  as  captain  in 
Col.  Crafts’s  regiment  of  artillery  in  the  Continental  service. 
The  regiment  was  principally  employed  in  the  vicinity  of 
Boston ; but,  more  than  once,  parts  of  it  were  ordered  to 
Rhode  Island,  and  took  part  on  one  occasion,  under  Gen. 
Spencer,  in  an  encounter  with  the  enemy  at  Tiverton.  He 
remained  in  the  service  three  years,  when  he  resigned,  and 
retired  to  his  farm.  He  was,  many  years,  an  active  magistrate 
in  the  county.  He  had  a strong  and  vigorous  mind,  a reso- 
lute will,  and  an  independent  judgment. 

He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Nathan  Sargent,  in  1773. 
Their  children  are  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
He  died  May  22,  1808,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 
For  several  years  before  he  died,  he  owned  the  farm  known 
as  the  Henshaw  Farm,”  near  the  Pond  ; which  is  still  owned 
by  descendants  of  the  family. 

Joshua  Henshaw  was  brother  of  Daniel,  above  named ; and 
was  born  in  Boston  in  1703.  He  was  one  of  the  leading 
spirits  in  the  early  movements  of  the  Revolution ; and  many 
of  the  measures  of  the  day  were  discussed  and  planned  at 
his  house  in  Boston,  where  Warren  and  Hancock,  Adams 
and  Otis,  used  often  to  meet.  He  was  elected  to  the  Council 
in  1769  ; and  his  rejection  by  Gov.  Bernard  only  added  to  the 
popular  influence,  and  strengthened  the  confldence  which  he 
! enjoyed.*  About  the  year  1773,  he  removed  to  Leicester; 

I where  his  son-in-law.  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw,  who  had  married 
' his  daughter  Sarah,  was  then  residing. 

He  boarded  for  a while  in  the  family  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Conklin,  in  whom  he  found  a congenial  spirit.  After  that,  he 
was  occupying  the  Mount-Pleasant  House  with  his  son-in-law 
in  1776.  The  following  year  (1777)  he  was  residing  in  Ded- 


* The  persons  elected  to  the  Council  with  him,  who  were  rejected  by  Gov.  Bernard, 
were  William  Brattle,  James  Bowdoin,  Joseph  Gerrish,  Thomas  Saunders,  John  Han- 
cock, Artemas  Ward,  James  Otis,  Benjamin  Greenleaf,  Jonathan  Bowers,  and  Natha- 
niel Spooner. 


240 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


ham,  in  the  family  of  the  Hon.  Samuel  Dexter;  where  he 
died  Aug.  5,  1777. 

I have  had  occasion  to  remark  more  than  once  upon  the 
constant  and  intimate  connection  which  was  kept  up  between 
the  people  of  Leicester  and  the  leaders  of  the  Revolutionary 
movements  in  Boston,  by  which  the  sentiment  of  the  latter 
found  a ready  and  immediate  response  from  the  former. 

Mr.  Joshua  Henshaw  was  one  of  the  mediums  through 
which  this  was  effected.  He  was,  as  I have  stated,  a confi- 
dential friend  and  adviser  of  the  Adamses,  Otis,  Warren,  and 
the  other  leaders  in  the  popular  cause.  He  was,  for  instance, 
a member  of  the  committee,  with  Samuel  Adams  and  James 
Otis,  who  demanded  of  the  governor  the  removal  of  the  troops 
from  Boston  after  the  Boston  Massacre,  as  it  was  called. 

He  had  two  nephews  and  a son-in-law  in  Leicester,  all 
public  and  active  men;  and  his  letters,  had  they  been  pre- 
served, would  doubtless  have  given  us  in  detail  the  steps  by 
which  the  Revolution  was  commenced,  and  carried  on  up  to 
his  removal  from  the  scene  of  action.  His  health,  for  a few 
years  before  his  death,  was  feeble ; and  he  had  withdrawn 
from  an  active  participation  in  public  affairs. 

John  Southgate,  though  he  occupied  a much  more  limited 
sphere  than  some  of  those  I have  mentioned,  deserves  to  be 
noticed  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  town.  He  was 
the  oldest  son  of  Steward  Southgate,  who  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, and  came  to  Leicester  with  his  father  Richard  in  1717. 
He  was  born  Jan.  15,  1738,  and  was  the  brother  of  Dr. 
Robert  Southgate,  of  Scarborough  in  Maine.  He  was  well 
educated  for  the  time  in  which  he  lived,  and  was  much  em- 
ployed as  a surveyor  of  lands,  in  which  he  seems  to  have 
had  great  skill  and  accuracy.  He  married  Eleanor  Sargent, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Sargent,  2d.  Their  children  are  men- 
tioned hereafter.  He  was  the  adjutant  of  the  regiment  of 
minute-men  commanded  by  Col.  William  Henshaw,  and 
marched  to  Cambridge  on  the  alarm  of  the  19th  of  April, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


241 


1775.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  troops  in  the  eight 
months’  ” service,  he  returned  to  Leicester. 

In  September,  1776,  a regiment  of  artillery  was  raised 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Thomas  Crafts,  of  which  James 
Swan,  afterwards  a resident  in  Leicester,  was  major.  One  of 
the  companies  (the  tenth)  was  commanded  by  Capt.  William 
Todd  of  Leicester,  who  then  lived  at  the  Henshaw  Place ; 
and  another,  by  David  Henshaw,  already  mentioned. 

John  Southgate  was  commissioned  as  second  officer  in  the 
company  of  Capt.  Todd,  under  the  title  and  style  of  captain- 
lieutenant.”  They  were  immediate  neighbors,  and  strong 
personal  friends. 

This  regiment  was  regarded  as  an  important  arm  of  the 
service,  and  is  often  alluded  to  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Gene- 
ral Court  of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  its  officers  were  com- 
missioned, although  in  the  Continental  establishment.  The 
company  to  which  Capt.  Todd  and  Southgate  were  attached 
was  stationed  a part  of  the  time  at  Boston ; a part  at  Dor- 
chester Point  and  Governor’s  Island ; and,  in  the  autumn  of 
1777,  was  ordered  to  Rhode  Island;  as  it  was  again  in  Sep- 
tember, 1778  : both  of  which  expeditions  took  place  during 
the  temporary  absence  of  Capt.  Southgate  on  visits  to  his 
family. 

From  several  letters*  left  among  the  papers  of  Capt.  South- 
gate  I select  a few  extracts,  as  they  serve  to  give  an  insight 
into  the  condition  of  the  army  at  the  times  when  they  were 
written.  In  one  from  Capt.  Todd,  dated  Nov.  22,  1776,  writ- 
ten at  Boston,  he  tells  Capt.  Southgate  that  he  had  seen  the 
regiment ; that  they  looked  well ; and  desires  Mr.  Southgate  to 
inform  the  men  he  should  bring  with  him,  that  they  would  be 
noticed,  and,  if  not  in  uniform,  probably  rejected.  All  the 
old  companies  are  clothed,  and  most  of  Capt.  Cushing’s  and 


* For  these  I am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  his  grandson,  Dr.  George  F.  Bigelow 
of  Boston. 


31 


242 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Henshaw’s."^  I should  be  sorry  to  see  my  men  appear  any 
worse  than  the  best  of  them.” 

Soon  after  this,  he  writes  again : ‘‘  I would  request  you’d 
do  all  in  your  power  to  promote  the  design  of  regimental 
clothing ; would  hint  to  you,  the  officers  look  well ; would  not 
have  you  get  a home-spun  coat,  if  you  can  help  it.  No  man  will 
have  an  opportunity  of  being  gunner  or  hombadier  in  the 
company,  without  a uniform ; as  regimental  orders  are,  they 
shall  appear  in  regimental  dress.  Let  all  the  men  bring  down 
with  them  whatever  arms  or  accoutrements  they  can  procure, 
— quite  scarce  here.  Desire  them  to  do  what  they  can  in 
getting  them.  . . . The  2d  of  December  we  have  a regi- 
mental muster,  — a grand  appearance.” 

On  the  25th  of  the  same  November,  1776,  he  writes  from 
“ Camp  Boston  : ” “ Sir,  you  must  inform  Mr.  Richardson,  he 
must  either  get  a tye  wig,  or  else  let  his  hair  grow.”  — Am 
well  now.  My  men  all  arrived  ; all  well.  Have  received  good 
provisions,  and  will  pass  muster  to-morrow.” 

Perhaps  some  allowance  should  be  made  for  this  fastidious- 
ness about  dress  and  outside  appearance  to  the  fact  that  Capt. 
Todd  had  been  an  English  gentleman  before  coming  to  this 
country,  and,  of  course,  familiar  with  the  dress  and  appear- 
ance of  neatness  in  the  uniform  of  the  English  Army  at  home. 
He  had  removed  from  Boston  to  Leicester,  and  purchased 
and  lived  upon  the  farm  formerly  belonging  to  Judge  Steele, 
and  subsequently  to  David  Henshaw,  Esq.  His  sister  Rachel 
married  William  Sargent,  brother  of  Capt.  Southgate’s  wife  ; 
which  formed  an  additional  bond  of  intimacy  between  the 
families. 

After  the  war,  Capt.  Todd  removed  to  Keene,  N.H. ; and 
was  living  there  in  1793. 

But  to  resume  the  notice  of  Capt.  Southgate.  I give  an 
extract  from  a letter  of  his  to  his  wife,  dated  in  April,  1777, 


Capt.  David  Henshaw  of  Leicester. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


243 


which  he  sent  by  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin,”  who,  I suppose,  was 
then  a chaplain  in  the  army.  I give  it  in  order  to  show  to 
what  straits  people,  in  even  comfortable  circumstances,  were 
reduced  for  the  common  articles  of  necessity  in  their  families. 
“ I sent  you  a paper  of  iDins  by  Capt.  Newhall.” — I can’t  get 
any  calamanco  for  shoes,  nor  any  shoes  I think  will  fit  you, 
yet.” 

All  these  letters  were  by  private  hands ; for,  as  it  will  be 
recollected,  it  was  long  anterior  to  the  establishment  of  a 
regular  postal  arrangement  for  general  use. 

Capt.  Southgate  left  the  army  in  the  summer  or  autumn  of 
1778,  but  still  continued  active  in  promoting  the  success 
of  the  Revolution. 

In  1781,  he  was  first  assessor  of  the  town,  and  had  the  duty 
of  dividing  the  people  of  the  town  into  classes  ; each  of 
which  was  required  to  furnish  one  or  more  men  for  the  army, 
according  as  the  requisition  might  be  upon  the  town.  In 
the  class  to  which  he  himself  belonged,  there  were  thirty- 
one  whose  names  were  borne  upon  the  tax-lists  of  the  town. 

The  prostration  of  business  and  credit,  and  the  exhaustion 
of  the  pecuniary  resources  of  the  country,  consequent  upon 
the  war,  ripened  at  last  into  that  unhappy  feeling  of  hostility 
to  the  government  in  Massachusetts,  which  led  to  open  resist- 
ance in  what  was  called  Shay’s  Rebellion,  in  1786-7. 

The  sober  and  reflecting  portion  of  the  people  stood  by  the 
government ; but  many,  who  had  been  good  and  devoted 
soldiers  during  the  Revolution,  were  found  enlisted  under  the 
banner  of  revolt.* 

The  aim  of  the  insurgents  was  to  put  a stop  to  the  courts, 
in  order  to  prevent  tlie  collection  of  debts  by  legal  process 
and  the  punishment  of  those  who  should  resist  the  law. 

I hardly  need  say  that  Capt.  Southgate  was  found  in  sup- 


* Shays  and  Wheeler,  who  were  among  the  leaders  in  the  insurrection,  had  been 
captains  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution. 


244  HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 

port  of  the  government ; and  one  or  two  extracts  from  letters 
addressed  to  him  at  that  time  will  give  some  idea  of  the 
feeling  that  then  existed.  One  is  dated  Sept.  5,  1786,  and  is 
from  a kinsman  living  in  Palmer.  Your  aunt  and  1 were  ^ 
summoned  as  evidences  to  Northampton  court  last  week. 

On  Tuesday  morning,  there  were  a company  of  horse  of  about 
fifty  or  sixty  ; and  followed  them  a company  of  foot,  armed  i 

with  guns  and  bayonets  in  regular  order,  drums,  fifes,  <fcc. ; ^ 

besides  smaller  bodies  continually  marching  through  the  - 

street  and  crossing  the  river.  It  being  a very  rainy  forenoon,  i 

did  not  think  best  to  go  over  ; being  very  unwell,  and  expect- 
ing a tumult,  and  perhaps  much  confusion.  All  the  afternoon,  ' i 
for  six  or  eight  hours,  could  not  see  man,  woman,  or  child,  in 
Hadley  Street.  Next  day,  I went  over  to  Northampton  ; but 
the  mob  had  stopped  the  court,  so  that  they  never  attempted 
to  go  into  the  Court  House,  but  adjourned  without  day.  The 
mob  were  all  retired  to  their  homes ; and  such  people  as  I had 
opportunity  to  see  said  but  very  little,  but  seemed  concerned 
at  the  consequences.” 

The  other,  of  a different  character,  is  from  Col.  William  i 
Henshaw,  and  is  characteristic  of  the  times  and  the  man.  It 
bears  date  Sept.  19,  1786.  “ I shall  go  by  the  way  of  Major  ^ 

NewhalPs"^  to  Worcester,  and  see  Avhat  number  we  can  raise 
that  may  protect  the  court  from  insults,  if  any  should  be 
offered.  I was  at  Worcester  yesterday ; and  it  was  the  .5, 
opinion  of  some  that  a party  would  try  to  stop  the  court. 
Others  were  of  opinion  they  Avould  not.  It  is  best  to  guard 
against  the  worst.  If  you  are  with  me  in  opinion,  it  will  be 
best  to  invite  such  persons  as  you  think  are  friendly  to 
government  to  appear  at  Worcester  with  their  arms  as  early 
as  may  be  in  the  day,  to  rendezvous  at  Patch  Tavern.  Capt. 
Henshaw,f  Mr.  Stone,:J:  Capt.  Lyon  and  sons.  Col.  Washburn 


* He  kept  a tavern  on  the  North  County  Road,  where  Mr.  Eddy  lives, 
t David.  t Jonas. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


245 


and  sons,  Mr.  Denny, and  Swan,f  I believe,  will  go.  Worces- 
ter will  stand  ready  to  join  us.  Perhaps  you  will  find  others 
ready  to  go  in  so  good  a cause.”  — Col.  Henshaw  was  not 
mistaken  in  his  supposition ; but  the  history  of  that  afiair  be- 
longs to  another  part  of  this  work. 

Capt.  Southgate  engaged  extensively  in  purchasing  wdld 
lands  in  Maine.  He  owned  a pretty  large  tract  a few  miles 
above  Bangor,  on  the  Penobscot  River.  After  the  death  of 
his  oldest  son,  Avhich  is  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this 
work,  he  had  occasion  to  visit  these  lands  from  time  to  time, 
to  dispose  of  them,  and  protect  them  from  trespassers. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1806,  having  occasion  to  be  at  Still- 
water for  this  purpose,  and  wishing  to  pass  a short  distance 
down  the  river,  he  got  upon  a couple  of  logs  in  the  stream, 
in  company  with  a man  by  the  name  of  Reed,  and  was  soon 
after  thrown  into  the  water  in  some  way;  and  was  drowned, 
though  an  excellent  swimmer,  within  a few  rods  of  the  shore. 
Strong  suspicions  of  foul  play  were  entertained  af  the  time ; 
but  no  measures,  I believe,  were  ever  taken  to  investigate  their 
truth.  His  body  was  soon  recovered,  and  buried  at  Kendus- 
keag  Point,  on  the  banks  of  the  Penobscot. 

Capt.  Southgate  lived  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  near 
the  junction  of  the  County  Road  from  Charlton  with  the  old 
Great  Road,  where  it  passed  along  the  side  hill,  instead  of  its 
present  course  through  the  valley.  One  only  of  the  family 
remains. 

Thomas  Dexxy  was  the  son  of  Daniel,  the  first  of  the  name 
who  settled  in  Leicester.  He  was  born  in  1724.  He  married 
Tabitha  Cutler  of  Grafton  in  1752,  and  had  four  children.  He 
must  have  been  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  and  of  an 
education  superior  to  most  of  his  contemporaries,  who  were 
brought  up,  as  he  was,  in  a country  town. 

He  held  many  places  of  responsibility  and  trust  in  the  town 


* Thomas. 


t Reuben. 


246 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


and  county,  and  early  engaged  in  the  controversy  with  the 
mother -country.  Some  of  the  spirited  and  statesman -like 
resolutions  and  instructions  adopted  by  the  town,  to  which  I 
have  alluded,  were  from  his  pen.  He  was,  too,  in  correspond- 
ence with  the  leading  public  men  in  Boston  and  its  vicinity, 
and  was  regarded  by  them  as  a wise  and  patriotic  counsellor. 

For  five  years  in  succession,  next  previous  to  his  death,  he 
represented  the  town  in  the  General  Court ; and  was  a mem- 
of  the  first  Provincial  Congress  in  1774.  This  covered  a 
most  eventful  and  trying  period  of  our  history.  During  the 
early  part  of  1774,  there  were  several  meetings  of  delegations 
from  the  towns  in  the  county  of  Worcester,  in  convention,  in 
which  Col.  Denny  took  a leading  part,  and  was  one  of  a com- 
mittee of  three  selected  by  the  convention  to  present  to  Gov. 
Gage  a remonstrance  against  the  course  of  measures  which 
the  government  were  pursuing.  The  delegates  from  this 
town  to  this  convention  were  Col.  Thomas  Denny,  Capt.  Wil- 
liam Hen.fliaw,  Capt.  Joseph  Henshaw,  and  Eev.  Benjamin 
Conklin.  Spencer  and  Paxton  united  in  their  election.  Of 
these,  William  Henshaw  was  chosen  clerk  of  the  convention. 

The  congress  met  in  October,  1774.  Soon  after  its  con- 
vening, Col.  Denny  was  obliged  to  return  home  on  account  of 
sickness  ; which  terminated  his  life,  Oct.  23,  at  the  age  of 
forty-nine. 

He  seems  to  have  been  a ready  and  popular  debater  as 
well  as  writer ; and  his  death  was  a public  loss,  and  lamented 
as  such.  He  had  held  the  office  of  colonel  of  a regiment 
of  militia,  which  was  then  regarded  as  a mark  of  distin- 
guished honor.  From  his  qualifications  for  public  life,  and 
his  experience  and  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  affairs  of 
the  Province,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that,  had  he 
lived,  he  would  have  filled  an  important  part  in  that  drama  of 
which  he  saw  only  the  opening  scene.  Col.  Denny  lived  upon 
what  was  long  known  as  the  “ Old  Denny  Farm,”  where  his 
father  had  first  settled. 


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fc'  U^’*-'.:  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


247 


Col.  Thomas  Denny,  a son  of  the  above,  was  born  in  May, 
1757.  He  married  Lucre tia  Sargent,  daughter  of  Phinelias 
Sargent.  He  early  engaged  in  active  business,  and  accumu- 
lated a large  estate.  He  often  represented  the  town  in  the 
General  Court ; was  many  years  postmaster  of  the  town, 
having  succeeded  Mr.  Adams  in  that  office ; was  a member 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Academy ; an  active  magis- 
trate ; colonel  of  a regiment  of  cavalry,"^  — the  first  raised  in 
the  county ; besides  being  called  to  fill  many  places  of  trust 
in  the  town  and  elsewhere. 

He  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cards 
and  in  merchandise,  and  did  much  towards  sustaining  and 
fostering  a branch  of  manufacture  upon  which  the  wealth 
and  business  of  the  town  have  greatly  depended. 

Col.  Denny,  with  some  of  his  contemporaries,  did  much 
by  their  enterprise,  and  the  encouragement  and  employment 
they  afforded  to  active  and  industrious  young  men,  in  laying 
a foundation  for  the  prosperity  of  the  town ; for  which  the 
town  owes  a debt  of  gratitude  to  their  memory. 

He  died  suddenly,  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  Dec.  5, 
1814,  aged  fifty-seven.  His  wife  survived  him  until  her 
ninetieth  birthday ; retaining  her  faculties  and  her  cheerful- 
ness unimpaired  to  the  last,  and  enjoying  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  a wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintance.  Her 
death  was  very  sudden,  and  with  her  passed  away  almost 
the  last  link  between  the  present  generation  and  the  ante- 
revolutionary  age. 

Many  valuable  memories,  that  might  have  lent  an  interest 
to  these  pages  had  they  been  preserved,  have  died  with 
her ; and  her  rich  store  of  personal  recollections  of  individuals 
and  events  is  now  lost  beyond  recovery. 

I Col.  Denny  lived,  after  his  marriage,  on  the  Denny  Farm  ; 
i but,  though  he  continued  to  own  the  estate,  he  lived,  many 


I 


* He  succeeded  Col.  Crafts  of  Sturbridge,  and  was  chosen  March,  1791. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


years  before  his  death,  in  the  house  opposite  the  Academy, 
recently  altered  and  repaired  by  Dr.  Daggett.* 

Col.  Samuel  Denny  was  a brother  of  the  first  Col.  Thomas ; 
and,  though  not  so  distinguished  as  a public  man,  held  a 
prominent  and  leading  place  among  the  men  of  his  day.  He 
was  born  in  1731.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Henshaw,  Esq. ; and  had  a large  family  of  children,  who  are 
mentioned  elsewhere.  He  was  engaged  with  the  Henshaws 
and  others  in  the  early  movements  of  the  Revolution,  and 
was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment  of  minute-men  which 
marched  upon  the  Lexington  alarm. 

In  February,  1776,  he  was  elected  colonel  of  the  first  regi- 
ment in  the  county  of  Worcester;  and,  in  November  of  that 
year,  was  stationed  with  the  army  at  Tarry  Town.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1777,  he  was  detailed  to  command  a regiment  of  militia 
that  was  ordered  to  join  the  Northern  Army.  The  term  of 
his  service  at  the  last  time  Avas  but  a single  month.  He  re- 
presented the  toAvn  in  the  General  Court  in  1778  ; and  was  a 
member  of  the  Convention  Avhich  was  called  to  act  upon  the 
ratification  of  the  Constitution  of  the  L^nited  States,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1788.  Col.  Denny  Iwed  upon  his  estate  upon  Moose 
Hill,  in  the  north-Avest  part  of  the  toAvn.  He  died  in  1817,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-six. 

Col.  Seth  Washburn.  — No  one,  who  has  folloAved  the 
course  of  the  narrative  of  this  work,  will  doubt  the  propriety 
of  noticing  this  gentleman  among  the  leading  men  of  the  toA\m 
in  his  day  ; and  yet  the  relation  in  which  I stand  to  his 
memory  is  such  as  to  hazard  the  character  of  any  judgment 
I may  have  formed  of  his  public  measures  or  personal 
merits.  I can  at  best  give  but  a meagre  detail  of  even  the 
feAv  incidents  which  go  to  make  up  his  history. 

He  Avas  born  in  Bridgewater  in  1723.  His  grandfather 


* His  manufactory  and  store  stood  where  the  brick  store  stands,  in  which  the  Bank 
is  now  established. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


249 


came  to  Duxbury  in  1635;  and  was,  as  is  believed,  the  son  of 
the  first  secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Company,  before  its 
charter  was  removed  to  New  England.  He  afterwards  re- 
moved to  Bridgewater;  where  his  son  Joseph,*  father  of  Seth, 
was  born.  He  removed  to  Middletown,  Conn.,  in  1739  or  1740; 
and  lived  there  till  about  1745,  when  he  removed  to  Leicester 
with  his  family.  Seth  was  then  twenty-seven  years  old.  The 
father  was  a blacksmith,  and  lived  where  there  is  now  a cellar, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  road  leading  to  William  Silvester’s, 
some  fifty  rods  from  the  Great  Road.  His  shop  was  at  the 
junction  of  the  Silvester  Road  with  the  Great  Road.  Seth  also 
was  a blacksmith,  and  served  his  apprenticeship  in  Middle- 
town.  In  April,  1750,  he  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Harrod,  who  had  removed  with  her  father 
from  Lunenburg,  where  she  was  born.  He  is  spoken  of,  in 
a deed  dated  1756,  as  innkeeper;  and  is  supposed  to  have 
kept  the  public-house  where  Capt.  Knight  now  lives,  which 
was  afterwards  burned  in  1767.  He  afterwards  lived  in 
the  house  which  belonged  to  him,  standing  where  Mr.  John 
Loring  lives,  and  forming  a part  of  it,  but  enlarged  by  him  in 
1780.  After  his  second  marriage,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Sargent,  a 
sister  of  Col.  Samuel  Denny,  in  April,  1788,  he  lived  four 
years  upon  what  is  now  called  the  Slade  Place,  — the  farm 
afterwards  owned  by  John  Howard,  two  miles  north  of  the 
Meeting-house.  He  then  returned  to  his  former  residence, 
where  he  died. 

Col.  Washburn  is  chiefly  interesting,  as  a study,  from  his 
being  a fair  representative  man  of  his  time.  His  qualities 
had  never  been  developed  by  early  education,  and  lay  dor- 


* Joseph’s  mother  was  grand-daughter  of  Mary  Chilton;  the  first  white  person,  it 
is  said,  who  stepped  upon  the  Plymouth  Rock.  She  married  John,  brother  of  Gov. 
Winslow. 

The  mother  of  Seth  was  Hannah  Johnson  of  Hingham.  One  who  knew  her  de- 
scribed her  as  a woman  of  superior  endowments;  and  added,  that,  “if  any  of  her 
children  had  any  smartness,  they  owed  it  chiefiy  to  her.” 

32 


250 


HISTORl’  OF  LEICESTER. 


mant  until  drawn  out  by  the  emergency  of.  the  occasion. 
His  education  must  have?  been  very  limited.  He  wrote  an 
indifferent  hand j* and  often  violated  the  rules  oh  spelling  and 
grammar.  He  had,  however,  a ready  command  of  language  ; 
was  a fluent  and  forcible'  speaker  ; and  lexhibited  a coolness 
and  self-possession,  which  made  him  an  effective  debater. 
But  probably  he  would  have  gone  through  life,  as  thousands 
are  constantly  doing,  without  knowing  that  he  had  courage, 
firmness,  sagacity,  or  executive  talent,  beyond  what  was 
necessary  to  manage  his  shop  and  command  the  respect  of 
his  neighbors,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  call  upon  his  best 
energies  which  he  found  in  the  Revolution. 

He  had  been  a soldier  in  one  expedition  against  the  Indians 
in  New  Hampshire  in  1749.  He  held  various  subordinate 
town-offices,  from  time  to  time,  after  1758;  but  had  not  at- 
tained to  the  dignity  of  a selectman  before  1769 ; and  it  was 
1773  before  he  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  Board.  He 
was  first  chosen  representative  in  1777,  and  a senator  in 
1780.  The  first  of  his  military  offices,  in  which  he  after- 
wards acquired  much  credit  and  importance,  was  in  1770, 
when  he  was  chosen  lieutenant  of  a'  company  of  volunteers, 
of  which  William  Henshaw  was  captffin.  In  April,  1774,  he 
was  commissioned  as  lieutenant  of  the  second  company  of  foot 
in  'Leicester,  of  which  Samuel  Denny  was  captain.  When  the 
company  of  minute-men  was  raised  in  January,  1775,  he  was 
made  their  captain  : and  in  the  eighth  months’-  service,  after 
the  war  began,  he  was  the  captain  of  a company ; as  he 
was  in  the  two  successive  terms,  of  two  months’  service,  at 
Roxbury  and  Dorchester,  which  succeeded'.  In  one  of  these, 
as  senior  captain  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Col.  Whit- 
ney, he  did  the  duty  of  major.  From  that  time  till  the  close 
of  the  war,  he  was  constantly  in  the  public  service,  though 
not  attached  to  the  army.  Of  the  part  he  took  in  the  battle  of 
the  17th  June,  1775,  I have  elsewhere  spoken. 

The  military  commissions  he  afterwards  received  were  in 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


251 


the  militia.  In  February,  1778,  he  was  chosen  by  the  General 
Court  and  commissioned  as  major  of  the  first  regiment  in 
Worcester;  and  in  July,  1781,  became  its  colonel.  It  then 
embraced  Spencer,  Paxton,  Ward  (Auburn),  Worcester,  Hol- 
den, and  Leicester ; and  contained  nine  companies,  of  six 
hundred  and  eighteen  men  in  the  whole.  How  long  he  held 
the  office,  I am  not  able  to  state ; but  he  had  the  command  at 
its  first  regimental  muster,  which  took  place  in  September, 
1785.  Though  his  rise  into  public  notice  and  confidence  must 
have  been  sudden  and  rapid,  I find  no  evidence  of  his  having 
afterwards  lost  or  forfeited  that  confidence.  The  duties  he 
was  called  upon  to  perform,  after  leaving  the.  army,  were, 
most  of  them,  such  as  indicated  a reliance  upon  his  judgment 
and  sagacity  as  well  as  his  fidelity. 

I have  mentioned,  in  a subsequent  part  of  this  work,  his 
having  been  muster-master  Jfor  the  county,  and  superintend- 
ent for  military  purposes  of  the  county,  by  repeated  elections, 
as  well  as  storekeeper  of  portions  of  the  supplies  for  the 
army. 

In  June,  1776,  an  order  of  the  General  Court  was  adopted 
for  raising  five  thousand  men  to  co-operate  with  the  Continental 
troops;  and  a committee  of  one  for  each  county  was  chosen  to 
go  into  the  several  counties  to  promote  the  enlistments.  Mr. 
Washburn  was  chosen  for  the  county  of  Worcester.  The 
same  service  was  done  in  July,  the  same  year,  to  enlist  every 
twenty-fifth  man  to  re-enforce  the  Northern  Army. 

In  May,  1777,  he  was  appointed  by  the  General  Court  to 
proceed  to  Ticonderoga  to  learn  on  the  spot  the  exact  con- 
dition of  the  garrison,  and  to  see  that  the  supplies  destined 
for  it  were  forwarded  with  despatch  ; but  he  was  unable  to 
comply . with  the  order,  and  another  was  appointed  in  his 
place.  Massachusetts  was  to  raise  fifteen  battalions  of  troops 
for  the  Continental  service,  but  was  to  have  the  commission- 
ing of  their  officers. 

In  June,  1777,  a committee,  consisting  of  Azor  Orne, 


252 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


George  Partridge,  Jonathan  Webster,  Seth  Washbnrn,  and 
Joseph  Hosmer,  was  raised  by  the  General  Court  for  com- 
missionating  the  officers  now  raising  men,”  <fec.,  in  this  State.* 

Certainly  this  was  a delegation  of  great  power  and  discre- 
tion. But  that  which  was  conferred  the  same  month  upon 
another  committee,  of  which  Mr.  Washburn  was  a member, 
was  hardly  less.  It  was  to  examine  accounts  against  the 
government  for  services  done  or  articles  supplied,  and  pass 
upon  the  accounts  of  commissaries  for  men  raised  for  defence 
of  the  seacoast.  And  in  August,  1779,  he  was  on  a similar 
committee ; and  whatever  accounts  were  approved  by  the 
committee  were  to  be  allowed  and  paid,  without  any  further 
order  or  action  upon  them. 

In  these  and  similar  duties  his  time  was  occupied  until 
peace  was  established.  In  1776,  ’7,  ’8,  and  ’9,  he  represented 
the  town  in  the  General  Court,  and  was  elected  in  1780,  ’82, 
and  ’84;  but,  having  been  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1780  and 
’84,  his  seat  in  the  House  was  vacated  for  those  years. 

In  1777,  he  was  one  of  a committee  of  seventeen  chosen 
by  the  Legislature  to  draught  a Constitution  for  the  people  ; 
and,  in  1779,  was  chosen  a delegate  to  the  Convention  that 
framed  the  Constitution  which  was  adopted  by  the  people. 
In  that  Convention  he  was  the  senior  monitor  of  the  body, 
served  upon  some  of  its  most  important  committees,  and  took 
an  active  part  in  the  discussions  which  arose  during  its 
sessions. 

He  was  elected  a member  of  the  first  Senate  under  the 
Constitution,  and  was  re-elected  in  the  years  1783,  ’84,  ’85, 
’86,  and  ’87.  In  1788,  he  was  again  a member  of  the  House. 

In  March,  1781,  he  was  commissioned  as  a justice  of  the 
peace ; an  office  which  everybody  did  not  hold  at  that  day, 
as  will  appear  from  the  very  few  who  were  commissioned  in 


* In  the  Revolutionary  records  at  Boston  is  an  account  of  the  number  of  commis- 
sions delivered  to  each  of  this  committee,  of  “ the  men  to  go  to  Canada.”  Eight  were 
confided  to  “ Capt.  Seth  Washburn.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


253 


the  town  as  such  before  1800.  They  did  not  exceed  half  a 
dozen  in  seventy-five  years. 

He  has  always  been  described  to  me  by  his  contemporaries 
as  having  a light  complexion,  high  forehead,  and  blue  eyes  ; 
about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height;  thin,  active,  and  muscular. 
This  was  shown  by  his  bringing  off  Sergeant  Brown  in  his 
arms  from  Bunker  Hill,  and  his  seizing  and  disarming  the  sen- 
tinel at  the  door  of  Mr.  Allen  during  the  Shays  insurrection. 
He  was  represented  as  being  a man  of  agreeable,  winning 
manners  and  address ; a fluent  and  effective  speaker ; of 
fearless  courage  and  great  firmness ; as  exerting  a marked 
influence  in  his  own  town,  and  commanding  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  public  bodies  of  men  with  whom  he  was  at 
various  times  connected. 

His  wife  * was,  I apprehend,  what  would  now  be  called  a 
strong-minded  woman,  shrinking  from  no  duty  or  sacrifice 
to  which  the  emergencies'of  the  times  called  upon  the  women 
of  that  day  to  submit.  They  reared  a large  family  of  children, 
whose  descendants  may  be  found  in  various  parts  of  the 
Union  ; but  not  one  remains  in  the  town  or  county  where  he 
had  lived.  He  had  around  him  at  Cambridge,  and  engaged 
with  him  in  the  battle  of  the  17th  June,  a brother,  two  sons, 
and  one  soon  to  be  a son-in-law. 

He  died  of  dropsy,  Feb.  12, 1794,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one, 
in  the  full  possession  of  his  intellectual  powers,  and  in  the 
consciousness  of  a life  filled  up  with  honest  industry  and 
honorable  usefulness.  In  the  notice  of  his  death,  in  the 
papers  of  the  day,  we  read,  “ Of  whom  it  may  be  truly  said, 
that  he  was  an  honest  man,  a true  patriot,  a kind  husband,  an 
indulgent  parent,  an  obliging  neighbor,  and  a friend  to  man- 
kind.’’ 

Though  for  many  years  employed  in  places  of  trust,  involv- 
ing, at  times,  the  disbursement  of  considerable  sums  of  money, 


She  died  in  September,  1787. 


254 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


he  left  but  little  for  his  heirs  beyond  the  inheritance  of  a good 
name.  Among  the  so-called  property  he  gave  up,  was  that  of 
a slave  by  the  name  of  Titus,  who  had  become  his  by  some 
means  other  than  a direct  purchase.  When  his,  attention  was 
called  to  the  question  of  holding  slaves,  by  the  discussions  as 
toThe  rights  of  the  Colonies,  he  at  once  emancipated  Titus; 
who,  on  the  other  hand,  declined  to  leave  the  employment 
of  his  former  master,  and  continued  in  the  family  till  his 
death.  ■ Col.  Washburn  married  Mrs.  Sarah  Sargent,  widow 
of  Thomas  Sargent,  and  daughter  of  Daniel  Denny,  the  first  of 
the  name,  in  1788.  She  survived  him. 

I have  mentioned  his  sons.  One  of  them  (Joseph)  was  born 
May  18, 1755.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  his  father  bound  him 
as  an  apprentice  to  a housewright ; where  he  remained  till  the 
war  commenced,  when,  just  before  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age,  he  enlisted  into  the  company  commanded  by  his  father. 

After  leaving  the  service  in  April,  1776,  I do  not  find  that 
he  engaged  in  it  again  till  the  1st  of  January,  1777 ; when  he 
was  commissioned  as  ensign  of  a company  commanded  by 
Capt.  Adam  Martin,  in  Col.  Bigelow’s  fifteenth  Massachusetts 
regiment,  in  the  Continental  service.  On  the  2d  March, 
1779,  he  was  promoted  to  a lieutenancy  in  the  same  company; 
which  office  he  resigned,  and  was  honorably  discharged  13th 
April,  1780. 

This  regiment  was  chiefly  composed  of  men  from  Worcester 
County ; and  we  have  the  testimony  of  a careful  historian,* 
that  “ a braver  band  never  took  the  field  or  mustered  to 
battle.”  It  saw  a great  deal  of  service  which  required  much 
physical  endurance,  as  well  as  a good  share  of  heroic  courage. 
Its  first  destination  was  to  join  the  Northern  Army  under 
Gen.  Gates.  After  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  in  which  the 
-regiment  took  a part,  it  marched  into  New  Jersey. 

Without  attempting  to  trace  its  movements  together  or  in 


Mr.  Lincoln,  in  his  History  of  Worcester. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


255 


detail,  I maj  refer  to  one  or  two  incidents  in  which  it  took  a 
part:  ilt  went  into  winter  quarters  with  the  American  Army 
at  Valley'^Forge,  the  winter  of  1777-8,  and  shared  in. the 
frightful  want  and  destitution  which  made  that  so  memorable 
a scene  ever  after,  when  the  sufferings  and  endurance  of  the 
army  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  Avere  spoken  of  Worn 
down  with  hard  service,  Avithout  proper  food  or  shelter,  with- 
out blankets  or  clothing,  during  a Avinter  of  unusual  severity, 
AAdien  the  men  might  be  tracked  in  the  snoAv  by  the  blood 
from  their  naked  feet,  the  condition  of  an  ofiker  Avas  hardly 
less  tolerable  than  the  humblest  soldier  in  the  camp.  A letter 
from  the  subject  of  this  notice,  addressed  to  his  father  (then 
a member  of  the  Legislature),  giving  a detailed  account  of  the 
condition  and  destitution  of  the  army,  was  read  by  the  latter 
before  the  House,  and  is  said  to  have  aroused  the  attention 
of  that  body  to  provide,  in  some  measure,  for  the  immediate 
relief  of  the  suffering  troops. 

The  following  season,  the  company  to  which  Mr.  Washburn 
belonged  Avas  in  NeAv  Jersey,  under  Gen.  Washington,  and 
took  an  early  and  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
memorable  alike  for  the  desperate  courage  Avith  which  the 
Americans  fought  after  the  disasters  of  the  early  part  of  the 
engagement,  and  for  the  dreadful  suffering  of  the  troops 
from  heat,  fatigue,  and  exhaustion  ; Avhere,  it  is  said,  as  many 
met  their  death  by  imprudently  quenching  their  intolera- 
ble thirst  at  the  wells  and  streams,  to  Avhich  they  rushed 
Avhen  the  action  Avas  over,  as  from  the  shot  of  the  enemy. 

The  only  attempt  I shall  make  to  describe  the  battle  Avill 
be  while  speaking  of  the  experience  of  one  of  his  company 
(Solomon  Parsons),  Avho  AA^as  dreadfully  Avounded  on  the  occa- 
sion. Being  a neighbor  and  personal  acquaintance  of  ^Ir. 
Washburn,  he  discovered  and  removed  him,  from  A\diere  he 
had  been  lying  many  hours  under  a burning  sun,  to  a place 
AAdiere  his  Avounds  could  be  dressed  ; and  did  every  thing  in 
his  poAA^er  to  alleviate  his  sufferings. 


256 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1 am  unable  to  give  in  detail  the  points  and  places  in 
which  the  company  was  engaged  while  Mr.  Washburn  re- 
mained in  the  service.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he 
worked  a while  at  his  trade,  and  built  the  house  where  Mr. 
Knowles  lives,  at  the  corner  of  the  Great  Eoad  and  the  road 
to  Charlton,  which  he  afterwards  sold  to  the  Eev.  Mr.  Moore. 
In  1787,  he  married  Euth,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Davis,  Esq., 
of  Charlton ; and  occupied  the  farm  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Charlton  Eoad,  at  the  foot  of  the  Livermore  Hill.  He  sold 
that  farm,  and  purchased  the  one  on  which  he  lived,  till  his 
death,  March,  1807.  A part  of  it  now,  belongs  to  Mrs.  Xew- 
hall,  half  a mile  from  the  Meeting-house,  upon  the  west  side 
of  the  Eutland  Eoad. 

As  early  as  the  summer  of  1789,  he  was  appointed  a deputy- 
sheriff  of  the  county ; and  held  the  place,  through  all  the 
changes  in  the  office  of  sheriff,  until  his  death.*  He  shared 
liberally  in  the  favor  and  confidence  of  his  townsmen,  so  far 
as  that  might  be  evinced  by  the  various  offices,  and  places  of 
trust,  which  he  held.  He  died  in  the  vigor  of  life,  and  in  the 
midst  of  active  usefulness.  He  left  seven  children.  His  widow 
died  March  22,  1827,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one.  It  would  be, 
indeed,  a poor  privilege  to  have  been  permitted  to  write 
these  pages,  if  delicacy  thereby  forbade  my  bearing  a hum- 
ble tribute  of  respect  to  parents,  one  of  whom  I have  spoken 
of  chiefly  from  information  derived  from  others;  and  of  the 
other,  — her  life  of  humble  piety,  her  wise  counsels,  her  untir- 
ing devotion  as  a mother,  and  her  beautiful  exhibition  of 
womanly  virtues,  which  I so  long  witnessed,  will,  I trust, 
justify  me  in  inscribing  this  simple  record  of  affection  and 
respect  to  her  memory. 

The  other  son  of  Col.  Washburn  (Asa  Washburn)  early 
removed  to  Putney,  Vt. ; where  he  sustained,  through  a long 


* There  had  been  two  incumbents  of  the  office  in  Leicester  before  Mr.  Washburn. 
Capt.  Ephraim  Mower  was  the  first  : he  removed  to  Worcester.  Timothy  Sprague 
succeeded  him.  The  office  was  vacant  daring  1788  and  a part  of  1789. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


257 


life,  a high  rank  and  reputation  as  a magistrate,  and  a man 
of  worth  and  intelligence. 

I have  had  occasion  to  speak  of  Mr.  Solomon  Parsons  in 
his  connection  with  the  period  of  his  service  in  the  Kevolu- 
tionary  Army. 

He  was  born  in  1757,  a son  of  Dr.  Solomon  Parsons,  and 
grandson  of  the  Rev.  David  Parsons.  I find,  by  memoranda 
which  he  left,  that  he  entered  the  army  in  1775,  and  went 
through  two  campaigns  before  1777,  the  particulars  of  which 
I am  unable  to  ascertain.  In  March,  1777,  then  twenty  years 
of  age,  he  enlisted  in  the  Continental  service  during  the  war, 
in  Capt.  Martin’s  company,  in  Col.  Bigelow’s  fifteenth  Massa- 
chusetts regiment ; and  was  in  the  various  battles,  marchings, 
and  hard  service,  to  which  that  distinguished  regiment  was 
subjected.  It  was  chiefly,  however,  to  speak  of  the  sufler- 
ings  he  endured  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  that  I began  this 
notice.  - 

That  battle  was  fought  on  Sunday,  the  28th  June,  1778, 
between  the  main  English  Army,  on  their  march  through 
New  Jersey,  after  having  evacuated  Philadelphia,  under  Gen. 
Clinton,  and  the  main  American  Army,  under  the  immediate 
command  of  Gen.  Washington,  having  with  him  Generals 
Lee,  Lafayette,  Green,  and  Wayne,  and  other  distinguished 
officers. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  attempt  to  describe  the  battle,  any 
farther  than  it  may  be  necessary  to  understand  the  extract  I 
give  below,  from  Mr.  Parsons’s  written  account  of  his  own 
participation  in  it.  His  account,  by  the  way,  is  another  of  the 
many  illustrations  we  have  of  how  little  one  who  is  engaged 
as  a soldier  or  subordinate  officer  knows  of  the  actual  move- 
ments of  an  army,  as  a whole,  in  a battle. 

The  enemy  were  moving  across  New  Jersey  towards  the 
Raritan  Bay.  Washington’s  army  was  a few  miles  to  their 
left  and  in  their  rear.  He  was  inclined  to  bring  them  to  an 
engagement,  but  was  not  sustained  in  this  by  a majority  of 

33 


258 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


his  officers  in  council.  He,  however,  pressed  upon  their  line 
of  march ; and,  for  that  purpose,  sent  forward  Gen.  Maxwell’s 
brigade  with  the  New-Jersey  militia,  and  Col.  Morgan  with 
a select  corps,  to  interrupt  and  impede  their  progress.  On 
the  24th  June,  he  ordered  forward  another  detachment,  under 
Brig.-Gen.  Scott,  to  aid  in  annoying  the  enemy,  while  he 
moved  on  Avith  the  main  army  to  KingstoAvn,  — a point  near 
to  the  enemy,  who  were  moving  very  sloAAdy  through  the 
country  at  that  time,  in  the  direction  of  Monmouth  Court 
House.  The  line  of  march  of  Clinton’s  army,  as  appears  on 
the  map,  Avas  nearly  east ; that  of  the  American,  more  south- 
easterly, and,  of  course,  approaching  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  26th,  he  sent  forward  a select  corps  of  one  thousand 
men  under  Brig.-Gen.  Wayne,  with  Gen.  Lafayette  to  command 
the  whole  advanced  corps,  with  orders  to  take  the  flrst  oppor- 
tunity to  attack  the  enemy’s  rear.  Martin’s  company  Avere  a 
part  of  these  troops.  These  advanced  corps,  that  night,  took 
position  on  the  Monmouth  Koad,  about  flve  miles  from  the 
enemy’s  rear ; but,  as  that  brought  our  troops  too  far  to  the 
right  of  the  main  army,  it  was  ordered  to  flle  to  the  left,  to  a 
point  between  the  enemy  and  the  American  main  army.  This 
was  on  the  27th.  The  main  body  then  marched  up  to  Avithin 
three  miles  of  Gen.  Lafayette’s  advanced  corps.  Morgan’s 
troops  Avere  on  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy ; and  Gen.  Dick- 
enson, Avith  the  Jersey  militia,  on  their  left.  The  enemy  were 
about  a mile  and  a half  beyond  the  Court  House,  where 
they  halted  till  the  morning  of  the  28th.  On  the  evening  of 
the  27th,  the  command  of  the  whole  advanced  corps  having 
been  given  to  Gen.  Lee,  he  encamped  at  English-town,  about 
five  miles  to  the  left,  and  in  rear  of  the  English  Army.  The 
main  body  of  the  American  Army  was  about  three  miles  in 
his  rear. 

Gen.  Washington  resolved  to  commence  an  attack  upon 
their  rear  the  next  morning,  as  soon  as  the  enemy  should 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


259 


, move  from  their  ground ; and  gave  his  orders  to  Lee  accord- 
ingly. These  orders  were  repeated  in  the  morning,  and  the 
main  army  moved  forward  to  support  him. 

Lee  advanced  with  Wayne’s  and  Maxwell’s  brigades  ; and,  as 
! he  came  up  with  the  enemy,  he  sent  forward  Wayne  to  engage 

* their  rear,  while  he  proposed  to  attack  their  leading  columns. 

! The  enemy  had,  at  this  time,  a wood  upon  either  flank ; and 

' were  otherwise  favorably  situated  for  making  a-  stand. 

' The  battle  was  begun,  and  Washington  was  pressing  for- 

' Avard  Avith  the  main  body  of  the  army  to  sustain  the  attacking 

! forces ; when,  to  his  amazement,  he  met  Lee  in  full  retreat. 

With  great  effort,  he  succeeded  in  arresting  this  retreat  of  the 
Americans,  and  in  bringing  them  to  a stand,  until  the  main 
army  could  come  up  to  their  support.  Wayne  Avas  in  advance 
of  the  American  forces,  and  Avas  opposed  to  the  centre  of  the 
English  Army,  Avhere  he  maintained  himself  for  some  time. 

Col.  Stewart’s,  and  the  other  corps  of  American  artillery, 

Avere  also  very  effective  in  keeping  the  enemy  in  check  till 
the  main  army  could  be  brought  into  the  action. 

After  a severely  contested  battle,  the  enemy,  toAvards  night, 
retreated  back  on  to  the  ground  where  Lee  first  encountered 
them  in  the  morning;  and,  in  this  position,  the  Americans 
lay  on  their  arms  during  the  night,  intending  to  renew  the 
fight  in  the  morning.  During  the  night,  the  enemy  silently 
Avithdrew,  and  abandoned  the  field. 

This  was  the  battle  of  Monnrputb^  rendered  memorable  in 
the  annals  of  the  Avar  by  the  gallantry  of  our  troops,  after  the 
disastrous  retreat  of  Lee  in  the  morning,  the  dreadful  suffer- 
ings Avhich  they  endured  from  long  and  heaA^y  marches,  heat, 
thirst,  and  the  desperate  resistance  of  the  enemy,  and  by  the 
! confidence  Avith  Avhich  it  inspired  the  country.  Every  point, 
from  the  first  advance  of  the  enemy  in  the  morning  till  their 
' retreat  in  the  afternoon,  Avas  sharply  contested,  notAvithstand- 
ing  the  disgraceful  retreat  of  that  part  of  the  advance  Avhich 
I Avas  with  Gen.  Lee. 

XW); 


260 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Capt.  Martin’s  company,  to  which  Mr.  Parsons  belonged,  as 
I gather  from  his  narrative,  formed  a part  of  Gen.  Wayne’s 
command  ; having  been  of  the  detachment  sent  forward  on 
the  26th,  as  above  stated,  under  his  and  Gen.  Lafayette’s 
command. 

It  was,  I infer,  after  Lee’s  retreat,  when  Wayne  was  obliged 
to  give  way,  and  after  an  order  from  Gen.  Washington  for  the 
brigade  to  maintain  its  position,  and  when,  for  a second  time, 
the  front  ranks  of  Wayne’s  command  fell  back  upon  Stewart’s 
artillery  and  the  other  American  troops  as  they  came  up,  that 
Mr.  Parsons  was  wounded.  He  must  have  fallen  near  the 
British  lines  as  they  were  advancing;  and  the  army  passed 
over  him,  both  in  its  advance  and  retreat,  as  well  as  the 
American  Army  in  its  advance  upon  the  retreating  forces  of 
the  enemy. 

In  his  narrative,  which  I purposely  somewhat  abridge, 
though  I retain  his  language  in  whatever  I have  copied,  he 
mentions  the  movements  of  the  detachment  of  the  thou- 
sand men  to  which  he  belonged,  on  the  26th  and  27th,  and 
the  part  they  took  in  the  skirmishing  in  the  morning  of  the 
28th,  and  the  retreat  of  his  regiment  with  that  of  Col.  Stew- 
art’s artillery,  and  their  meeting  an  officer  ordering  them  to 
halt.  He  then  describes  their  return  into  the  action,  en- 
countering the  head  of  the  enemy’s  column,  and  their  being 
fired  upon  by  their  artillery. 

“ The  regiment  were  ordered  to  incline  to  the  left,  to  let  our  artillery 
in.  I hey  commenced  to  fire  most  vehemently.  W e had  orders  to 
march  forward  to  a growth  of  wood  a little  to  our  left,  where  we  soon 
met  the  enemy.  The  smoke  gave  way.  I beheld  the  red-coats  within 
eight  rods.  I was  loaded  with  a ball  and  six  buck-shot.  I took  aim 
about  waistband-high.  I loaded  the  second  time,  and  made  attempt  to 
fire ; but  my  gun  did  not  go.  I jumped  into  the  rear,  where  I saw 
Major  Porter.  I told  him  my  gun  would  not  go  off.  He  said,  ‘ Take 
care  of  yourself : the  enemy  are  just  upon  us  ! ’ I stepped  into  the  front 
rank,  and  discharged  my  piece,  the  enemy  within  six  rods.  I loaded 
the  third  time.  As  I returned  my  ramrod,  I found  our  men  four  rods 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


261 


distant,  and  the  enemy  the  same.  I wheeled  to  the  left,  and  observed 
that  the  enemy  had  flanked  our  men  which  were  out  of  the  woods.  I 
then  ran  out  of  the  woods.  I got  ten  rods,  and  the  enemy  came  out  of 
them,  and  fired  a platoon  upon  me.  One  ball  struck  my  heel,  which 
much  disabled  me.  The  next  platoon  on  the  left  fired  on  me,  and 
broke  my  thigh.  I then  raised  myself  upon  my  right  arm,  and  looked 
toward  the  enemy,  and  saw  a man  coming  towards  me.  He  came  upon 
the  run  within  a rod  of  me.  I begged  for  quarter.  He  came  within 
four  feet  of  me.  I begged  for  quarter.  He  says,  ‘ You  damned  rebel,  I 
have  none  for  you  ! ” He  drew  back,  and  stabbed  me  through  the  arm. 
I twitched  back  my  arm  and  seized  the  bayonet,  one  hand  by  the  hilt 
and  one  hand  by  the  point,  and  twitched  it  to  the  ground.  Then  he  went 
to  twitching  it,  and  twitched  it  five  or  six  times.  He  twitched  me  off 
the  ground,  and  tried  to  stab  me  with  the  bayonet  a number  of  times. 
I defended  my  body.  He  then  drawed  me  about  fifteen  feet.  I then 
began  to  faint.  I looked  over  my  shoulder,  and  saw  the  flourish  of  a 
cutlas,  which  was  by  a British  officer,  who  said,  ‘ Why  ain’t  you  in  your 
rank  ? ’ I let  go  of  the  bayonet,  and  they  went  off. 

I then  was  beset  by  two*men.  One  took  my  piece,  and  said,  ‘ I will 
blow  your  brains  out  with  your  own  gun  ! ’ He  snapped  it  at  me  ; but, 
not  being  loaded,  he  run  upon  me  like  a mad  bear.  A man  standing 
by  says,  ‘ Let  him  alone  : he  has  got  enough.’  One  cut  away  my  can- 
teen of  rum  and  my  time-piece.  I had  three  days’  provision  and 
thirty  rounds  of  cartridges,  which  I had  in  my  blanket.  The  cry  of 
all  was,  ‘ Damn  the  rebel ! why  don’t  you  kill  him  ? ’ 

“ Here  there  came  a man,  and  demanded  my  money.  I told  him  I 
would  not;  but,  if  he  would  help  me  to  a shade,  I would  give  it  to  him. 
He  took  towards  eight  dollars.  He  took  hold  of  my  arms,  and  took 
me  up  on  my  feet;  and  my  hones  grated,  and  I fainted;  and  he  laid  me 
down  in  the  same  place.  I was  alarmed  by  a British  sergeant  with 
twelve  men.  They  wore  green  coats,  which  we  call  tories.  The 
sergeant,  a Britoner,  I had  some  talk  with.  1 heard  some  one  cry, 
‘ Have  you  got  there  a rebel?  Why  don’t  you  kill  him?’  Two  light- 
horse-men  appeared.  One  came  towards  me,  and  I gave  myself  up ; 
but  the  horse,  having  more  mercy  than  the  man,  jumped  over  me.  The 
horseman  struck  at  me,  which  came  very  near  me. 

“I  lay  in  imminent  djinger  from  our  artillery.  The  balls  came 
every  side  of  me:  one  of  them  came  right  over  me.  The  sun  was  so 
hot,  that  I could  not  bear  my  hand  on  the  ground.  I covered  myself 
with  my  blanket  to  keep  off  the  sun.  The  enemy  were  continually 


262 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


passing.  I asked  them  to  help  me  to  a shade.  I happened  to  look  out, 
and  saw  Gen.  Clinton  with  his  life-guard,  with  several  parade-officers. 
The  aide-de-camp  rode  up  towards  me,  and  says,  ‘ My  lad,  are  you 
wounded?’  I told  him  I was  : ‘ I received  my  wounds,  by  balls  and 
three  bayonet-thrusts,  since  I fell  into  your  hands.  You  give  no 
quarter  to-day.’  He  says,  ‘There  is  no  such  order.’  He  says,  ‘The  men 
are  rash.’  I told  him,  ‘ Rash  or  not,  this  is  what  we  get  for  using  your 
men  like  brothers.  I was  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne,  where  we  took 
their  whole  army.  I never  saw  one  of  them  abused.’  They  did  not 
want  to  hear  of  that.  They  asked  me  the  state  of  our  army,  and  where 
they  were.  I told  them  that  I had  news  from  them  every  minute ; that 
our  whole  park  of  artillery  were  playing  upon  them  now,  which  were 
six  and  thirty  pieces  of  artillery.  They  asked  me  how  many  men 
we  had.  I told  them  we  had  a numerous  army.  They  asked  what 
detachment  I belonged  to.  ‘ To  ‘ Marquis  Lafayette’s.’  They  asked 
me  what  division  I belonged  to.  I told  them,  ‘ Gen.  Green’s  division, 
and  Gen.  Glover’s  brigade ; Col.  Bigelow’s  regiment,  and  Capt.  Martin’s 
company.’  They  asked  me  what  town  I belonged  to.  I told  them, 
‘ Leicester.’  They  asked  me  where.  I told  them,  ‘ Leicester  in  the 
county  of  Worcester,  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay ; ’ and  I was  not  ashamed 
of  it. 

“ I lay  in  a deplorable  situation.  The  sun  being  about  an  hour  high, 
I perceived  their  men  on  the  retreat.  I then  laid  myself  in  the  very 
posture  of  a dead  man,  as  near  as  possible.  Their  main  body  marched 
over  me ; and  I heard  their  officers  say  they  would  halt  in  that  growth 
of  woods,  and  refresh  themselves.  I heard  another  party,  which  was 
the  covering  party  of  the  artillery  ; which  marched  over  me.  The 
artillery  came  on,  which  I expected  would  go  over  me.  They  just 
cleared  my  head.  They  trotted.  I perceived  somebody  at  my  breast. 
I suppose  I stirred.  They  asked  one  another  whether  that  man  was 
dead.  He  said  he  did  not  know.  I heard  the  piece  move,  and  I knew 
no  more  till  our  men  passed  by.  I beckoned  to  the  officer : he  came 
with  six  men,  and  carried  me  to  the  village  meeting-house.” 

That  officer,  as  already  stated,  was  Lieut.  Washburn.  From 
Gen.  Washington’s  letters  giving  an  account  of  this  battle, 
the  general  action  must  have  begun  about  noon ; and  I infer, 
from  the  whole  of  Mr.  Parsons’s  account,  that  he,  a j^oung 
man  never  very  rugged,  scarce  twenty-one  years  of  age,  must 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


263 


have  lain  in  that  burning  sun,  without  shelter  or  any  means 
of  quenching  his  raging  thirst,  — with  his  hip  dreadfully 
shattered,  and  his  arms  thrust  through,  — from  about  twelve 
o’clock  till  the  sun  was  nearly  down.  As  one  reads  this 
minute  account  of  a single  experience  upon  a battle-field,  he 
is  almost  ready  to  believe  that  there  must  be  some  exaggera- 
tion, — that  human  nature  could  not  have  endured  so  much. 
But,  in  the  first  place,  every  circumstance  which  he  details  in 
writing  co-incides  with  the  official  accounts  of  the  battle. 
Besides,  his  own  character  needed  no  corroboration  to  con- 
firm his  statement.  The  crippled  condition  in  which  he  was, 
from  the  wounds  he  then  received,  for  life,  was  of  itself  a 
confirmation ; and  I have  heard  him,  more  than  once,  con- 
verse with  the  officer  who  discovered  and  rescued  him,  of 
the  experiences  of  that  day,  as  a thing  familiarly  known  to 
them  both. 

From  the  Monmouth  Meeting-house,  into  which,  with  the 
other  wounded,  he  was  carried,  he  was  removed  to  Princeton 
College ; and  from  thence  to  Trenton,  until  he  was  able 
to  be  removed  home  by  his  father.  Dr.  Parsons;  where  he 
suffered  intensely  for  seven  years,  before  he  sufficiently 
recovered  to  engage  in  any  business. 

Another  Revolutionary  incident  may  here  be  related,  from 
the  part  which  was  taken  in  it  by  one  long  a citizen  of 
Leicester,  — Mr.  Joseph  Bass.  He  removed  here  soon  after 
the  war,  having  married  the  mother  of  Mr.  John  Hobart.*  A 
considerable  part  of  the  time,  he  occupied  the  house  opposite 
Mrs.  NewhalPs,  upon  the  Rutland  Road.  He  was,  while  a 
young  man,  engaged  in  a seafaring  life.  The  following  narra- 
tive I took  from  his  own  dictation ; though,  so  far  as  I could 
compare  it,  I found  it  fully  confirmed  by  the  published  history 
of  the  war : — 

In  July,  1776,  two  English  frigates,  the  ^‘Phoenix”  and  the 

Rose,”  succeeded  in  sailing  up  the  Hudson,  and  stationed 


* She  died  in  1816,  aged  sixty-eight. 


264 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


themselves  near  Tarrytown;  cutting  off  the  communication, 
by  the  river,  between  the  different  portions  of  the  American 
Army.  In  the  latter  part  of  that  month,  a gallant  attack  was 
made  upon  them  by  six  row-galleys,  under  the  command  of 
Com.  Tupper,  from  Tarrytown. 

This  attempt  being  unsuccessful  (I  borrow  Irving’s  language 
in  his  Life  of  Washington  ”),  a gallant  little  exploit,  at  this 
juncture,  gave  a fillip  to  the  spirits  of  the  community.  Two 
of  the  fire-ships  recently  constructed  went  up  the  Hudson  to 
attempt  the  destruction  of  the  ships  which  had  so  long  been 
domineering  over  its  waters.  One  succeeded  in  grappling  the 
^ Phoenix,’  and  would  soon  have  set  her  in  flames  ; but,  in 
the  darkness,  got  to  leeward,  and  was  cast  loose  without 
effecting  any  damage.  The  other,  in  making  for  the  ^ Rose,’ 
fell  foul  of  one  of  the  tenders,  grappled  and  burnt  her.  The 
enterprise  was  conducted  with  spirit,  and,  though  it  failed  of 
its  main  object,  had  an  important  effect.”  They  soon  escaped 
down  the  river. 

Bass,  who  had  been  in  the  water-service  ” under  Com. 
Tupper,  was,  according  to  his  narrative,  put  in  charge  of  one 
of  these  fire-ships  : the  other  was  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Thomas,  of  Xew  London.  Bass’s  vessel,  called  the  Polly,” 
was  a sloop  of  about  a hundred  tons,  nearly  new : Thomas’s  was 
of  a smaller  size. 

These  little  vessels  were  anchored  in  the  mouth  of  the 
‘‘  Spuit-in-Devil  Creek.”  They  had  been  prepared  with 
fagots  of  very  combustible  wood,  dipped  in  melted  pitch ; and 
bundles  of  straw,  cut  about  a foot  in  length,  and  prepared  in 
the  same  way.  These  fagots  filled  the  deck,  and  communi- 
cated with  a trough  of  fine  gunpowder,  which  extended  along 
under  the  deck,  from  the  hold  into  the  cabin ; and  into  this 
was  inserted  a fuse,  that  might  be  fired  by  a person  in  the 
cabin,  who  might  escape,  by  means  of  a door  cut  in  the  side 
of  the  vessel,  into  a whale-boat  which  was  lashed  to  the 
“ quarter  ” of  the  sloop. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


265 


Besides  these  combustibles,  there  were  ten  or  twelve  bar- 
rels of  pitch  in  each  vessel ; and  a great  number  of  yards  of 
canvas,  cut  in  strips  about  a foot  wide,  covering  the  yards 
and  rigging,  and  extending  to  the  deck,  all  of  which  had 
been  dipped  in  spirits  of  turpentine. 

Bass  had  nine  men  to  his  vessel ; three  of  whom  he  sta- 
tioned in  the  whale-boat;  one  acted  as  pilot;  while  he 
stationed  himself  in  the  cabin  with  a lighted  match  to  fire 
the  materials. 

Besides  tlie  two  frigates,  there  were  a bomb-ketch  and  two 
tenders  in  company,  and  moored  near  them. 

The  night  was  dark  and  cloudy,  with  occasionally  a little 
rain.  The  vessels  lay  moored  in  a line,  about  north  and 
south,  — first  the  “ Phoenix,”  next  the  “ Bose,”  then  the 
ketch,  and  above  them  the  tenders.  The  fire  - ships,  on 
starting  from  the  creek,  took  a course  near  the  middle  of 
the’  river ; and  the  darkness  of  the  night,  as  well  as  the 
high  bank  in  their  rear,  prevented  their  seeing  either  the 
hulls  or  masts  of  the  vessels ; and  the  first  thing  that  ap- 
prised them  of  their  approach,  was  hearing,  immediately  on 
their  left,  the  twelve-o’clock  bells  of  the  vessels,  and  the  cry 
of  the  sentinels,  of  “ All’s  well ! ” from  their  decks.  For  the 
same  reason,  they  could  not  distinguish  the  situation  of  the 
vessels  sufficiently  to  ascertain  their  size,  or  which  of  them 
were  the  frigates. 

Bass  was  considerably  in  advance  of  Thomas ; and,  upon 
hearing  the  cry  of  the  sentinels,  bore  down  at  once  upon  the 
line  of  the  British  fleet.  lie  was  already  near  the  bomb- 
ketch  before  he  was  perceived  by  the  enemy  ; who  imme- 
diately began  a severe  cannonade  upon  his  vessel,  which 
damaged  her  rigging  and  mast,  and  some  of  the  shot  entered 
her  hull.  But  he  was  under  too  much  headway,  and  was 
already  too  near  to  retreat  if  he  had  been  inclined.  As  soon 
as  he  saw  himself  near  enough  to  the  vessel  towards  which 
he  was  steering,  to  be  sure  she  would  not  escape,  he  gave 

34 


266 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


orders  to  his  men  to  take  to  the  boat,  and,  touching  the 
fuse,  leaped  into  the  whale-boat,  and  cast  off  from  his  ship. 
Her  course  had  been  surely  directed ; and,  the  next  moment, 
the  grappling-irons  upon  her  bowsprit  and  yards  became 
interlocked  with  the  rigging  of  what  proved  to  be  the 
ketch,  and  they  were  both  immediately  in  a blaze.  The 
fire  of  the  burning  ship  lighted  up  the  surrounding  scenery 
with  a horrid  glare  of  splendor.  The  ketch,  with  most  on 
board  her,  were  burned  or  drowned ; a few  only  escaping. 

Capt.  Thomas,  by  the  light  of  Bass’s  ship,  bore  down  upon 
the  “ Phoenix,”  and  became  grappled  with  her.  He  then 
applied  the  match ; but,  becoming  entangled  with  his  own 
fire,  was  obliged  to  leap  into  the  river.  He  lost  five  of  his 
men,  while  Bass  escaped  without  the  loss  of  one.  The 
Phoenix  ” succeeded  in  cutting  loose  from  her  dangerous 
assailant  by  cutting  her  rigging  and  slipping  her  cable. 

It  was  an  exceedingly  bold  and  hazardous  enterprise ; and, 
if  it  did  not  accomplish  all  it  proposed,  it  infused  so  much 
terror  into  the  minds  of  the  commanders  of  the  British 
vessels,  that  they  immediately  withdrew  from  so  dangerous  a 
vicinity. 

This  account,  substantially  as  above  given,  was  prepared 
and  published  in  a periodical  more  than  thirty  years  ago,*  as 
taken  directly  from  the  principal  actor  himself,  — an  unlet- 
tered man ; and  the  co-incidence  of  his  statement,  even  in 
minute  particulars,  with  the  authentic  narrative  of  history, 
leaves  no  reasonable  doubt  of  its  correctness  even  in  its 
details. 

I have  spoken  in  another  place  of  the  black  man,  by  the 
name  of  Peter  Salem,  who  shot  down  Major  Pitcairn  at  the 
battle,  of  Bunker  Hill.  After  the  war,  he  came  to  Leicester, 
and  continued  to  reside  there  till  a short  time  before  his 
death.  The  history  of  the  town  would  be  incomplete  without 


Mr.  Bass  died  in  1829,  aged  seventy-five. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


267 


giving  him  a place ; and  I am  happy  that  I can  borrow  from 
■ so  authentic  and  interesting  a history  as  Mr.  Barry^s,  of 
Framingham,  for  the  early  life  of  this  ‘‘hero  of  ’16.” 

He  was  born  in  Framingham,  and  was  held  as  a slave, 
probably  until  he  joined  the  army  ; whereby,  if  not  before,  he 
became  free.  This  was  the  case  with  many  of  the  slaves 
■ in  Massachusetts ; as  no  slave  could  be  mustered  into  the 
army.  If  a master  suffered  this  to  be  done,  it  worked  a 
I practical  emancipation.  Peter  served  faithfulty  as  a soldier, 

^ during  the  war,  in  Col.  Nixon’s  regiment.  A part  of  the 

[ time  he  was  the  servant  of  Col.  Nixon,  and  always  spoke  of 

; him  in  terms  of  admiration. 

He  lived  in  various  places  in  the  town ; but  his  last  abode 
was  a cabin  which  he  built  for  himself,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  road  leading  to  Auburn,  about  a quarter  of  a mile  from 
the  house  formerly  of  William  Watson.  In  front  of  his  cabin 
he  planted  and  reared  two"or  three  poplar-trees;  and,  around 
it,  dug  and  cultivated  a little  garden,  in  which,  besides  the 
few  vegetables  that  he  planted,  a few  clumps  of  flowering 
shrubs  and  a stinted  rose  or  two,  with  a few  sweet-smelling 
herbs,  gave  evidence  of  his  unequal  struggle  with  a hard  and 
rocky  soil. 

I Horticulture,  however,  was  not  his  forte.  He  earned  a 
precarious  livelihood  by  making  and  mending  baskets,  bottom- 
ing chairs,  and  the  like ; which  gave  him  admittance  into 
everybody’s  house,  where  his  good  nature  rendered  him  a 
universal  favorite,  especially  with  the  children.  His  military 
training  in  the  army  had  given  him  a sort  of  instinctive 
soldierly  bearing;  and  his  habits  of  obedience  there  to  his 
I superiors,  infused,  into  all  his  intercourse  with  the  consider- 
[|  able  people  of  the  town,  a marked  courtesy  of  manner,  which 
j|  he  never  omitted  or  forgot. 

It  was  always  a pleasant  sight  to  observe  the  promptness 
I and  precision  with  which  the  heel  of  Peter’s  right  foot  found 
I its  way  into  the  hollow  of  his  left  one,  his  body  grow  erect, 


268 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


and  the  right  hand  spring  up  to  a level  with  his  eye,  to  salute 
Massa  Moore  or  Mistress  D.  on  passing,  in  return  for  the 
salutation  or  nod  of  recognition  with  which  everybody 
greeted  him. 

It  was  a treat,  too,  for  the  younger  members  of  the  family 
to  gather  around  Peter,  while  engaged  in  mending  the  house- 
hold chairs ; or,  sitting  in  the  chimney  corner,  with  the 
youngest  on  his  knee,  while  the  flickering  blaze  lighted  up 
his  black  face,  to  listen  to  his  stories  of  the  war,  and  what 
he  had  seen  when  he  was  out  with  Massa  Nixon.’’ 

He  was  especially  at  home  at  the  firesides  of  those  who 
had  been  in  the  service,”  and  generally  found  a welcome 
chair  at  the  hospitable  board.  They  were,  to  him,  companions 
in  arms ; and  he  never  seemed  to  think  he  could  grow  old 
while  any  of  them  remained  to  answer  his  roll-call. 

But  though  Peter  had  gone  through  seven  years’  hard  ser- 
vice unharmed,  and  had  not  lost  a jot  of  his  freshness  of 
feeling,  age  crept  upon  him  unawares  at  last.  His  erect  form 
began  to  stoop  ; his  military  step  grew  unsteady  ; the  thinned 
and  whitened  covering  which  had  concealed  an  ugly  loen  or 
two,  that  had  perched  themselves  upon  the  top  of  his  head, 
no  longer  served  to  screen  this  defect  in  his  personal  sym- 
metry. His  resources  grew  smaller  and  smaller ; till,  at  last, 
the  hand  of  charity  had  to  supply  the  few  wants  which  the 
old  man  required. 

In  this  respect,  there  is  a frightful  equality  in  the  law. 
Overseers  of  the  poor  never  heed  whether  the  man  that  is 
hungry  is  a saint  or  a sinner.  If  he  needs  fire  to  warm  or 
clothes  to  cover  him,  though  scarred  all  over  in  the  service 
of  his  country,  it  is  their  duty  ” to  hunt  up  his  settle- 
ment,” and  give  notice,  as  the  law  requires. 

Peter’s  settlement  was  in  Framingham,  and  the  good  people 
of  that  town  took  early  measures  for  his  removal  thither. 

It  was  a sad  day  to  Peter ; but,  before  taking  his  final 
departure,  he  went  around  and  made  a farewell  visit  to  each 
of  his  favorite  haunts,  and  to  such  of  his  old  friends  as 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


269 


time  had  spared.  With  a heavy  heart,  he  paid  them  his  last 
salute,  and  disappeared  from  the  spot  which  had  been  his 
home  for  so  many  years.  His  cabin  soon  went  to  decay.  A 
rough  stone  chimney  served  for  many  years  to  mark  where 
it  had  stood  ; and  the  lilac  and  the  rose  he  planted,  bloomed 
for  a few  years,  and  were  then  broken  down,  and  died.  The 
last  object  that  marked  the  spot  was  a poplar-tree ; and  even 
that  has  grown  old,  and  will  ere  long  disappear. 

But  will  any  one  say  that  this  humble  black  man,  whose 
hand  did  such  service  in  the  very  redoubt  on  Bunker  Hill ; 
who  perilled  his  life,  through  some  of  the  most  trying  and 
arduous  scenes  of  the  war,  for  that  freedom  for  others  which 
he  had  never  been  permitted  to  share  till  he  won  it  personally 
by  personal  valor,  — will  any  one  say  that  his  name  does  not 
deserve  a place  among  those  whom  it  is  the  purpose  of  these 
simple  annals  to  commemorate  ? 

He  died  at  Framingham,  Aug.  16,  1816. 

Of  Capt.  John  Holden,  I have  been  able  to  learn  very 
little.  From  one  of  his  descendants,  I find  that  he  was  born 
at  Concord  in  1753 ; entered  the  army,  and  was  at  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill ; served  through  the  war ; and  left  the  army, 
at  the  peace,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  I have  mentioned 
.elsewhere  his  having  been  of  the  party  which  so  gallantly 
stormed  Stony  Point  under  Gen.  Wayne,  — one  of  the  most 
signal  acts  of  bravery  which  took  place  during  the  war.  I 
have  often  heard  him  allude  to  it,  though  never  in  detail. 

After  leaving  the  army,  he  went  to  reside  in  Holden ; 
where  he  married  Zipporah  Hall  in  1789.  He  removed  from 
there  to  Paxton,  and  thence  to  Leicester,  previous  to  1804. 
He  had  a numerous  family  of  children,  and  lived  in  a house 
(now  removed)  which  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  Rutland 
Road,  a little  north  of  the  Hubbard  House,  where  Jacob 
Bond  lived.  His  wife  died  in  January,  1827 : he  died  IMarcli 
13,  1828.  He  had  lived  long  enough  in  tlie  town  to  be  fami- 
liarly known  to  its  citizens,  and  sufficiently  identified  with  its 
history  to  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  it. 


270 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CONNECTION  OF  THE  TOWN  WITH  THE  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  THE 
COMMONWEALTH.  — FRENCH  AND  REVOLUTIONARY  WARS.  — CON- 
STITUTION OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  AND  OF  THE  STATE.  — WARS 
WITH  FRANCE  AND  ENGL  AND.— CONCLUSION. 

In  attempting  to  trace  the  part  which  the  people  of  this  town 
took,  from  time  to  time,  in  the  general  affairs  of  the  country, 
it  will  be  obvious  that  the  topics  must  be  few  in  number. 

They  bore  their  share  in  the  wars  which  preceded  the  final 
expulsion  of  the  armies  of  France  from  Canada,  upon  its  con- 
quest in  1759  and  TO.  In  the  controversies  with  the  mother 
country,  they  took  an  early  and  active  part ; and,  in  the  strug- 
gle of  the  Revolution,  evinced  a prompt  and  cordial  co-opera- 
tion in  all  the  public  measures  it  involved.  After  the  peace, 
the  town  was,  in  the  maintenance  of  government  and  order, 
true  to  its  early  history ; and  in  none  of  the  agitating  ques- 
tions which  engaged  the  attention  of  the  people  at  large 
was  it  an  indifferent  or  an  inactive  spectator. 

Somewhat  may  be  said  of  the  history  of  the  town  in  these 
particulars  ; and,  though  it  may  involve  much  that  might 
seem  to  be  altogether  local  in  its  interest,  it  has  seemed  to 
me  to  be  the  most  fit  connection  in  which  to  present  what  I 
have  been  able  to  glean  upon  the  subject  from  the  limited 
materials  within  my  reach. 

I found  it  impossible,  to  ascertain  the  names  or  numbers  of 
all  its  citizens  who  were  called  into  actual  service  during 
the  wars  which  preceded  the  Revolution.  I have  discovered 
a few  of  these  by  researches  in  the  muster-rolls  which  are  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


271 


be  found  in  the  State  House  in  Boston ; but  I am  apprehen- 
sive that  it  is  far  from  embracing  the  entire  number. 

In  a chapter  of  this  work  upon  the  Army,  Ac./’  I have 
preserved  the  names  of  those  from  Leicester  who  took  part 
in  the  wars  before  the  Revolution  as  well  as  during  that 
struggle,  so  far  as  they  have  been  ascertained;  and,  conse- 
! quently,  shall  have  no  occasion  to  repeat  them  again  in  this. 

Troops  were  stationed  here  in  the  Indian  War  of  1722;  it 
being  then  a frontier  settlement. 

' The  war  which  was  declared  against  France  in  1744  aroused 
a general  enthusiasm  and  zeal  in  the  Colony ; and  the  expe- 
; dition  which  was  organized  the  following  year  to  make  a 
; descent  upon  Cape  Breton,  with  a view  of  conquering  the 
military  works  at  Louisburg,  called  out  such  a proportion  of 
the  entire  military  of  Massachusetts,  that  I am  justified  in 
assuming  that  Leicester  contributed  liberally  of  men  towards 
I the  enterprise.  ^ 

; Massachusetts  furnished  three  thousand  two  hundred  and 

f 

fifty  of  the  four  thousand  troops,  by  whom,  chiefiy,  that 
stronghold  was  taken,  — an  exploit  that  shed  lustre  upon  the 
fame  of  the  Provincial  troops,  and  told  upon  their  courage 
and  selfreliance  in  after-days  when  their  children  met  the  de- 
J scendants  of  their  former  companions  and  associates  of  ’45 
at  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill.  John  Brown  of  Leicester 
commanded  a company  in  that  expedition.  Two  only  of  the 
number  have  I been  able  to  trace ; and,  whether  the  balance 
of  his  company  was  from  this  town,  I have  no  means  of 
saying. 

The  following  year,  tlie  country  was  greatly  alarmed  by  an 
invasion,  threatened  by  a formidable  French  fieet ; which  was 
planned,  and  so  far  carried  out  as  to  have  arrived  off  Nova 
I Scotia,  under  the  command  of  Duke  D’Anville.  A draught 
I of  twenty-five  men  was  made  from  I^eicester,  to  march,  witliout 
I a moment’s  delay,  to  Boston.  The  order  for  this  draught,  and 
the  pressing  nature  of  the  call  for  troops,  will  be  found  in 


272 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


another  part  of  this  work,  when  speaking  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Green,  to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

The  draught  was  answered,  and  the  men  marched  ; but, 
fortunately,  there  was  no  occasion  for  their  services.  The 
French  fleet  was  scattered  by  a storm,  the  commander  com- 
mitted suicide,  and  the  expedition  was  abandoned. 

To  guard  the  frontier  settlements,  during  this  war,  from  the 
Indians,  troops  were  stationed  at  Coleraine  and  at  Fort  Massa- 
chusetts, between  what  is  now  Adams  and  Williamstown.  I 
find  one  man  from  Leicester  among  the  troops  at  Coleraine 
during  the  winter  of  1747-8,  and  three  at  Fort  Massachusetts. 
Besides  these,  an  expedition  was  planned  in  1747  against 
Canada;  in  which  Massachusetts,  as  usual,  took  a leading  part, 
and  furnished  a large  proportion  of  the  troops.  Leicester 
bore  her  share  in  the  enterprise  ; and  I find  the  following 
entry  upon  her  records,  though  I am  unable  to  ascertain  the 
names  of  the  persons  alluded  to.  In  the  warrant  for  March 
meeting,  1748,  it  is  recited,  ‘‘  Whereas  there  has  been  several 
persons  that  have  enlisted  into  the  Canada  expedition,  these 
are  to  see  if  the  town  will  abate  them  of  their  rates  the  year 
past.’’ 

The  treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelle,  in  October,  1748,  put  an  end 
to  this  war;  nor  were  hostilities  commenced  until  1754,  and 
then  without  any  formal  declaration  of  war.  This  war,  though 
not  formally  declared  till  two  years  after  the  commencement 
of  hostilities  in  America,  became  memorable  as  the  last  of 
those  French  and  Indian  wars  which  had  kept  the  Colonies  in 
a state  of  danger  and  alarm,  and  cost  them  so  much  blood  and 
treasure.  It  was  the  opening  scene  in  the  military  career  of 
Gen.  Washington,  and  was  signalized  by  the  disastrous  defeat 
of  Gen.  Braddock,  the  massacre  of  Fort  AYilliam  Henry,  the 
taking  of  Quebec,  and  the  final  subjugation  of  Canada ; and 
the  part  which  the  colonists  took  in  the  various  expeditions 
and  battles  to  which  this  war  gave  rise  became  such  a school 
for  the  practical  training  of  their  troops,  that  the  opening 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


273 


scenes  of  the  Revolution  found  officers  already  educated  and 
men  already  disciplined  for  the  camp  and  the  field. 

In  1754,  an  expedition  of  eight  hundred  men,  under  Gen. 
Winslow,  was  sent  into  Maine  to  hold  the  French  and  Indians 
in  check.  I find  the  names  of  three  men  from  Leicester  upon 
the  rolls  of  that  expedition,  in  the  service  from  April  to  No- 
vember of  that  year. 

In  1756,  an  expedition  was  planned  against  Crown  Point, 
to  consist  of  ten  thousand  men ; and  an  order  was  issued  for 
enlisting  a thousand  men  within  the  counties  of  Worcester 
and  Hampshire.  Under  this  order,  eleven  were  enlisted  from 
Leicester,  and  belonged  to  the  company  of  Capt.  John  Steb- 
bins,  who  had  formerly  belonged  to  Leicester,  but  then  lived 
in  Spencer,  and  died,  while  in  the  service  in  this  expedition,  in 
1756.  The  company  belonged  to  the  regiment  of  Col.  Rug- 
gles,  afterwards  the  famous  Brig.-Gen.  Ruggles,  of  Hardwick. 
There  being  a deficiency  in  the  requisite  number  of  men, 
four  more  were  enlisted  from  Leicester. 

In  July,  three  more  joined  the  army  at  Fort  Edward,  in 
addition  to  one  who  had  previously  joined  it;  and,  in  Sep- 
tember, four  more  were  called  for,  and  two  of  them  impressed 
for  the  same  service.  They  joined  the  army  at  Fort  William 
Henry.  Two  others,  who  had  been,  or  soon  after  became, 
inhabitants  of  the  town,  were  in  the  same  expedition. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  there  were  draughted  more  than 
twenty  men  in  a single  year  from  a town  containing  scarcely 
six  hundred  souls,  struggling  with  all  the  difficulties  of  a new 
settlement,  and  little  able  to  spare  the  services  of  its  active 
young  men  who  were  called  to  join  the  army.  It  serves 
to  show  the  nature  of  the  struggle  in  which  the  Colonies 
were  engaged,  and  the  extent  to  which  a people  thus  situated 
were  willing  to  make  sacrifices  for  a common  cause. 

Of  all  this  number,  two  only  did  not  voluntarily  enlist ; nor 
were  those  who  joined  the  army  mere  adventurers,  or  such 
as  were  willing  to  throw  off  the  restraints  of  home  for  the 

35 


274 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


greater  license  of  the  camp.  They  were  of  various  ages, 
from  nineteen  to  thirty.  Several  had  wives,  and  most  of  them 
had  connections  of  family  and  homes,  which  they  must  have 
given  up  with  reluctance  and  regret.  For  instance.  Parley 
Brown,  a son  of  one  of  the  most  considerable  men  in  the 
town,  was  nineteen  years  old  ; while  the  father-in-law,  brother- 
in-law,  and  brother,  of  Seth  Washburn,  who  had  served  in  one 
expedition  himself  against  the  Indians  in  1749,  were  of  the 
number  who  enlisted  in  that  of  1756. 

The  operations  of  the  year  1756  were,  however,  mostly 
unsuccessful ; and  the  French,  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign 
of  1757,  continued  to  advance  upon  the  English  posts  in  the 
northern  parts  of  New  York.  Under  Gen.  Montcalm,  they 
invested  Fort  William  Henry,  on  Lake  George,  in  August,  and 
compelled  the  garrison  to  surrender.  This  was  followed  by 
what  has  been  ever  since  known  as  the  ‘‘  Massacre  of  Fort 
William  Henry.’’ 

Among  those  who  were  present  in  the  fort  at  the  time  of  its 
surrender  was  Mr.  Knight  Sprague,  then  of  Hingham,  but, 
for  most  of  a long  life,  a citizen  of  Leicester ; from  whose 
narrative  I have  transcribed  the  incidents  of  which  he  was  a 
spectator,  and  in  which  he  participated.  He  belonged  to 
Col.,  afterward  Gen.  Benjamin  Lincoln’s  regiment ; and  was, 
at  that  time,  only  sixteen  years  of  age. 

According  to  his  account,  the  fort  was  surrendered  about 
ten  o’clock  on  Wednesday  morning.  The  English  were  de- 
tained till  the  next  morning,  and,  during  that  time,  were 
guarded  by  the  French  troops,  and  protected  from  the  sav- 
ages : but  as  soon  as  the  army  had  left  the  fort  to  take  up 
their  march  towards  Fort  Edward,  according  to  the  terms  of 
the  capitulation,  the  Indians  rushed  upon  them,  and  began 
to  kill  and  strip  them ; and  every  effort  on  the  part  of  the 
French  to  restrain  them  was  unavailing.  Sprague  escaped, 
after  having  been  partially  stripped,  and  made  his  way  to 
Fort  Edward.  On  his  way,  he  passed  his  captain,  who  had 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


275 


been  entirely  stripped,  and  many  women  who  were  in  no 
better  condition.  The  yells  of  the  savages,  the  groans  of  the 
wounded  and  dying,  the  shrieks  of  the  affrighted  women  and 
frantic  soldiers,  and  the  dead  who  lay  scattered  around  them, 
made  it  a scene  of  unsurpassed  horror.  Fifteen  out  of  his 
own  company  of  fifty  were  killed  soon  after  leaving  the  fort. 
Nor  is  it  surprising  that  the  massacre  of  Fort  William  Henry 
became  one  of  the  memorable  events  in  that  last,  protracted 
death-struggle  for  ascendency  on  the  part  of  France,  in  a 
country  over  which,  at  one  time,  she  seemed  destined  to 
become  the  acknowledged  mistress. 

Mr.  Sprague  often  saw  Munroe,  the  English  commander  of 
the  fort ; as  well  as  Montcalm,  the  general  of  the  French 
trooops.  The  former  he  represented  as  a dignified  gentle- 
man of  about  fifty  years  of  age ; the  latter,  a finely  formed, 
active,  and  graceful  man,  of  small  stature.  The  following  year, 
Sprague  had  the  satisfaction  of  taking  part  in  the  attack 
upon  Fort  Frontinac,  on  Lake  Ontario,  under  Col.  Bradstreet, 
and  to  witness  the  surrender  of  that  fortress. 

The  scenes  in  which  these  and  the  other  Provincial  troops 
of  that  day  were  engaged  have  become  all  but  classic  ground. 
History  and  fiction  have  combined  to  keep  alive  the  interest 
which  no  one  can  fail  to  feel  on  visiting  these  fields,  on  which 
the  fathers  of  New  England  fought  with  a courage  and  devo- 
tion worthy  of  the  best  days  of  Greece  or  Rome.  Every 
rock  and  glen  teems  with  the  associations  of  events  which 
are  so  intimately  connected  with  a most  important  historic 
period  of  our  country.  Here  Baron  Dieskeau  and  Col.  Wil- 
liams fell  in  1755 ; and  here  the  same  flag  was  struck  down 
on  the  ramparts  of  William  Henry  by  Baron  Montcalm,  in 
1757,  which  in  1759  waved  in  triumph  over  his  grave  on  the 
heights  of  Abraham,  and  floated  above  the  citadel  of  con- 
quered Quebec. 

No  sound  of  war  now  breaks  the  silence  which  reigns  over 
the  spot  where  the  crumbling  bastions  of  that  once  memo- 


276 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


rable  fortress  stood ; and  forest-trees  were  a few  years  since 
growing  within  its  intrenchments,  to  shelter  it,  as  it  were, 
from  the  decay  which  was  fast  obliterating  its  embrasures  and 
breastworks.* 

If  these  simple  annals  may  serve  to  preserve  the  names  of 
a few  of  the  humble  actors  in  those  scenes,  its  purposes  will 
not  have  entirely  failed. 

The  war  terminated  practically  in  America  by  the  sur- 
render of  Quebec ; but  levies  continued  to  be  made  until  the 
pe^ce  of  1763.  In  1761  and  ’62,  I find  six,  at  least,  drawn 
from  Leicester  for  military  service,  though  the  length  of  the 
service  is  not  specified.  One  of  the  expeditions  in  which 
three  of  these  were  engaged  was  beyond  the  North  River ; 
but  the  place  of  its  destination  does  not  appear  upon  the  roll 
from  which  the  names  are  copied. 

No  circumstance  of  a public  nature  appears  to  have  oc- 
curred, after  the  close  of  the  last  French  War,  to  call  upon 
the  town  for  action,  until  those  measures  of  the  British  mini- 
stry which  began  to  awaken  the  attention  of  the  Colonies, 
and  led  on,  step  by  step,  to  their  final  severance  from  the 
mother-country. 

The  part  which  this  town  took  in  carrying  forward  the 
measures  of  the  Revolution  is  one  of  which  her  sons  had  a 
right  to  be  proud.  To  appreciate  these,  and  to  understand 
the  circumstances  under  which  the  town  acted,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  we  should  consider  for  a moment  the  situation  and 
resources  of  its  inhabitants. 

I suppose,  that,  at  no  time  during  the  war,  the  population  of 
the  town  exceeded  nine  hundred  persons ; and  a statement, 
professing  to  be  authentic,  places  it  below  that  number.  As 
for  its  actual  wealth,  I have  no  valuation  taken  during  or  im- 
mediately preceding  the  war  to  guide  me.  It  was,  however. 


* I speak  of  this  fortress  as  it  appeared  upon  a visit  to  it  thirty  years  ago.  From 
advertisements  in  the  newspapers,  a magnificent  hotel,  it  would  seem,  had  sprung  up 
xipon  a spot  so  long  memorable  in  the  annals  of  our  Colonial  history. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


277 


a mere  agricultural  community,  without  trade  or  manufac- 
tures; and  its  soil  a hardy  and  unproductive  one.  The 
whole  number  borne  upon  the  list  of  the  trainbands  of  the 
town  in  1781  was  but  a hundred  and  fifty-one,  of  whom  forty- 
nine  were  upon  what  was  called  the  alarm-list leaving  only 
a hundred  and  two  supposed  to  be  competent  for  active  mili- 
tary duty. 

But,  with  no  other  than  ordinary  means  of  education,  the 
town  seems  to  have  possessed  an  unusual  proportion  of  not  - 
only  strong-minded,  but  well-educated  men.  The  record  they 
have  left  of  the  public  papers  which  were  produced  between 
1765  and  1776  bears  honorable  testimony  to  the  patriotic  zeal, 
the  scholarly  attainments,  and  the  sound  statesmanship,  of 
those  who  took  a lead  in  the  utterance  of  the  public  senti- 
ment of  the  town.  One  circumstance  had  an  important  influ- 
ence in  producing  a harmony  of  feeling  and  a promptness  of 
action  on  the  part  ef  the  town ; and  that  was  the  intimate 
family  connection  which  existed  between  several  of  the 
people  of  Leicester  and  the  leading  men  of  Boston,  where 
most  of  the  early  Revolutionary  movements  originated. 

The  mother  of  the  Hon.  Joseph  Allen,  who  had  himself 
removed  from  Boston  in  November,  1771,  was  a sister  of 
Samuel  Adams.  The  Henshaws,  Joseph  and  William,  had 
also  come  from  Boston,  and  were  connected  with  many  of  the 
patriot  families  there ; and  Joshua  Henshaw,  who  came  into 
town  just  before  the  Revolution  broke  out,  and  whose  daughter 
had  married  Joseph  Henshaw,  was  on  terms  of  intimate  asso- 
ciation and  correspondence  with  the  Adamses,  James  Otis, 
Warren,  and  the  other  leaders  of  public  opinion  in  Boston. 
If,  then,  it  might  seem  that  the  town  took  a prominent 
and  leading  part  in  these  measures,  disproportioned  to  its 
relative  magnitude  and  resources,  it  may  not  have  been  that 
they  were  actuated  by  any  warmer  or  more  devoted  zeal  for 
the  cause ; but  because,  by  being  earlier  advised  than  some 
of  the  towns  in  respect  to  the  measures  to  be  adopted,  they 


278 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


may  have  taken  earlier  action,  and  held  a more  prominent 
position,  than  other  communities  equally  deserving  of  com- 
mendation. 

In  its  early  history,  the  town  must  have  been  eminent  for 
its  loyalty  to  the  crown.  In  the  notice  of  Judge  Menzies, 
given  in  another  part  of  this  work,  it  will  have  been  seen, 
that,  while  a representative  from  the  town,  he  was  expelled 
from  the  House  for  his  excess  of  loyalty  to  the  king.  Judge 
* Steele,  long  a leading  and  influential  citizen  of  the  town, 
remained  true  to  his  loyalty  to  the  last ; but,  when  the  war 
broke  out,  there  was,  besides  him,  not  a single  man  of  influ- 
ence wdio  was  not  a thorough  and  decided  liberty  man.’' 
Prominent  among  these  were  Joseph  Allen,  John  Brown,  the 
Dennys,  the  Greens,  the  Henshaws,  Seth  Washburn,  Hezekiah 
Ward,  John  Southgate,  and  others,  whose  names  will  appear 
in  the  following  pages.  They  could  not  fail  to  shape  the 
opinions  and  give  direction  to  the  judgment  of  such  a com- 
munity. 

But  in  maintaining  the  assumption,  that  this  town  furnished 
its  full  share  of  wise  counsellors,  brave  soldiers,  and  patriotic 
citizens,  towards  achieving  our  national  independence,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  do  little  more  than  give  in  their  order  the 
facts  which  the  records  of  the  town  furnish  of  the  sacrifices 
made,  the  services  rendered,  and  the  moneys  expended,  by 
them  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  If,  in  these  respects, 
she  was  surpassed  by  any  of  her  sister-towns,  it  is  believed 
that  the  history  of  those  towns  is  yet  to  be  written. 

In  the  matter  of  scholarship,  Joseph  Ilenshaw  had  received 
a collegiate  education;  Joseph  Allen  and  William  Henshaw 
had  had  the  advantages  of  the  classical  schools  of  Boston ; 
and  Thomas  Denny  must  have  cultivated  a taste  for  reading, 
and  skill  in  composition.  But  of  some,  if  not  most,  of  the 
others,  they  had  few  if  any  advantages  beyond  the  most 
limited  teachings  of  schools  for  a few  weeks  each  year.  The 
grammar  and  spelling  of  many  of  the  public  papers  which  • 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


279 


some  of  these  men  were  called  upon  to  prepare,  indicate  but 
little  familiarity  with  these  graceful  and  convenient,  if  not 
necessary,  accomplishments  in  a writer. 

In  the  matter  of  military  skill  and  experience,  the  people 
of  the  town  must  have  possessed  a good  share  of  that  ele- 
ment. John  Brown  had  been  a captain  at  Louisburg  ; William 
Henshaw  had  served  as  a subaltern  officer  under  Gen.  Aber- 
crombie in  1756 ; and  Seth  Washburn  had  served  in  one 
campaign  against  the  Indians.  Besides  these,  four  or  five  of 
Capt.  Washburn’s  company  of  minute-men  had  served  in  the 
campaigns  against  Ticonderoga  and  CroAvn  Point ; and  others 
were  living  in  the  town  at  the  time,  who  had  learned  war 
under  officers  of  the  crown. 

Not  to  anticipate,  it  will  be  my  purpose  to  present,  in  a 
chronological  order  of  events,  the  part  which  the  town  took 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Revolution  ; but  being,  as  it  was,  the 
great  historical  event  of  the  State,  as  well  as  of  all  the  older 
towns  of  the  Commonwealth,  the  reader  ought  not  to  expect 
any  thing  new  or  original  in  the  narrative. 

Not  to  go  farther  back  into  that  chain  of  causes  which  led 
to  the  scenes  of  1775,  Parliament  had,  in  1763,  passed  the 
Acts  of  Trade,”  which  bore  hardly  upon  the  business  and 
commerce  of  New  England.  The  plan  of  taxing  the  Colonies 
was  thus  early  broached  and  discussed,  but  not  then  adopted. 
This  led  to  a correspondence  between  Massachusetts  and 
others  of  the  Colonies.  In  1764,  the  Sugar  Act,”  as  it  was 
called,  was  passed,  and  was  intended  as  an  incipient  measure 
of  taxation.  A Stamp  Act  was  proposed,  but  did  not  then 
pass  ; but  a measure  quite  as  offensive  was  adopted,  by  which 
all  breaches  of  the  revenue  laws  were  required  to  be  tried  in 
Courts  of  Admiralty,  without  the  intervention  of  a jury.  The 
alarm  thus  created  was  general : for  the  people  had  regarded 
trial  by  jury  as  one  of  the  great  safeguards  of  their  liberties ; 
and,  as  such,  it  had  come  down  to  them  with  the  common  law 
which  their  fathers  had  brought  with  them  from  England. 


280 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


This  was  followed  by  the  famous  Stamp  Act  of  1765.  The 
Colonies  were  aroused  by  a sense  of  impending  danger ; and 
Massachusetts  proposed  a General  Congress  of  the  Colonies, 
to  be  held  in  October  of  that  year.  In  the  mean  time,  riots 
occurred  in  various  places ; and  one  of  the  most  memorable 
and  disgraceful  of  these  outbreaks  was  that  by  which,  on 
the  26th  August,  1765,  the  costly  mansion-house  of  Lieut.- 
Gov.  Hutchinson,  with  its  furniture,  plate,  and,  above  all, 
his  invaluable  collection  of  books  and  manuscripts,  were 
destroyed ; a loss  which  no  one,  interested  in  the  early 
history  of  the  Colony,  can  ever  cease  to  deplore.  In  this 
agitated  state  of  the  public  mind,  the  people  of  Leicester, 
Spencer,  and  Paxton,  then  forming  one  district  for  repre- 
sentative purposes,  were  called  together,  on  the  17th  October, 
1765,  to  see  if  the  town  will  give  instructions  to  their 
representative  in  this  critical  conjuncture.’’ 

John  Brown  was  their  representative,  and  had  been  since 
1761.  Daniel  Henshaw,  Thomas  Denny,  Jonathan  Newhall, 
of  Leicester;  Benjamin  Johnson,  who  had  removed  from 
Leicester  to  Spencer;  Joshua  Lamb  of  Spencer;  and  Jona- 
than Knight,  whose  son  and  grandson  afterwards  lived  in 
Leicester,  of  Paxton, — were  appointed  a committee  to  prepare 
these  instructions.  Their  report  was  adopted  after  some 
additions,  and  entered  of  record  as  a part  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  town.  It  was  probably  from  the  pen  of  Thomas  Denny. 
These  resolutions  will  be  found  at  large  in  the  Appendix, 
to  this  work,  and  will  amply  repay  by  their  perusal  any  one 
who  wishes  to  understand  the  tone  of  public  sentiment  at  that 
time,  and  the  intelligent  basis  upon  which  it  rested. 

The  next  recorded  action  of  the  town  was  the  adoption  of 
resolutions.  Sept.  19,  1768  ; setting  forth  in  plain  and  forcible 
language  the  political  duties  and  rights  of  the  Colonies,  as 
they  were  apprehended  by  the  people  of  this  town.  These, 
too,  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix ; and  are  an  unmistakable 
index  of  the  thoughts  and  sentiments  which  had  been  occu- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


281 


})ying  the  minds  of  the  people  between  their  former  meeting 
in  1765  and  the  time  of  their  adoption.  They  had  studied 
their  rights  as  Englishmen ; and,  while  they  never  thought  of 
compromising  their  loyalty  to  the  king,  they  insisted  upon 
the  privileges  and  protection  guaranteed  to  them  by  Magna 
Charta  and  the  Bill  of  Rights.  The  paper  is  worthy  of  the 
men,  the  time,  and  the  cause  to  which  it  owed  its  origin. 

It  was  during  this  year  (1768)  that  Massachusetts  addressed 
a circular  to  the  other  Provinces  upon  the  subject  of  the 
grievances  which  they  were  suffering  in  the  duties  and  taxes 
imposed  upon  them  by  the  mother-country.  This  called  down 
upon  them  the  severe  animadversions  of  the  Earl  of  Hillsbo- 
rough, in  a communication  which  was  laid  by  Gov.  Bernard 
before  the  Legislature.  This  led  to  a reply  on  the  part  of 
the  House,  and  a message  to  the  Governor,  which  so  exaspe- 
rated him  that  he  dissolved  the  Legislature.  It  was  followed 
by  a spirited  convention  of  representatives  of  the  several 
towns,  held  in  Boston;  which  fills  quite  a space  in  Hutchin- 
son’s third  volume  of  his  History.  Leicester  was  represented 
in  that  convention  by  Capt.  Brown ; and  that  fact,  as  well  as 
the  occasion  for  calling  it,  are  alluded  to  in  the  resolutions 
above  referred  to.  This  convention  was  called  by  the  people 
of  Boston  assembled  in  town-meeting.  It  met.  Sept.  22, 1768, 
in  Faneuil  Hall,  and  continued  in  session  till  the  29th.  Its 
j)urpose  professed  to  be  that  such  measures  might  be  con- 
certed and  advised  as  his  majesty’s  service,  and  the  peace 
and  safety  of  his  subjects  in  the  Province,  might  require. 
As  the  occasion  for  calling  it  was  the  refusal  of  the  Governor 
to  convene  the  Legislature  after  proroguing  it  on  the  30th 
of  June,  and  then  dissolving  it  by  proclamation  on  the  1st 
of  July,  it  was  decidedly  a revolutionary  measure;  and  so  it 
was  esteemed  by  the  government  here  and  at  home,  and  gave 
great  cause  of  uneasiness.  Circulars  had  been  addressed  to 
the  various  towns  of  the  Province,  ninety  of  whom  had  re- 
sponded by  sending  delegates,  authorized  and  ready  to  adopt 

36 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


any  measures  which  the  exigencies  of  the  times  demanded. 

That  it  was  a high  offence/’  says  Hutchinson,  it  was 
generally  agreed.  Some  would  make  the  act  of  the  select- 
men of  Boston  to  be  treason ; and  pains  were  taken  to  pro- 
cure and  preserve  some  of  the  original  letters  signed  by 
them.” 

A compact  was  entered  into  by  most  of  the  merchants  and 
principal  people  of  Boston,  in  August,  1768,  not  to  import 
English  goods ; especially  tea,  paper,  glass,  and  the  other 
things  upon  which  duties  had  been  imposed. 

The  next  measure  of  the  ministry  which  served  to  excite 
new  fears  and  create  new  causes  of  alienation  on  the  part  of 
the  Colonies,  was  the  threatening  to  visit  upon  them  the  con- 
sequences of  treason  and  rebellion,  and  to  transport  them  for 
trial  to  Great  Britain.  This  was  followed,  on  the  part  of  Vir- 
ginia, by  resolutions  not  to  import  British  goods ; in  which 
they  were  joined  by  like  resolutions  on  the  part  of  South 
Carolina,  Maryland,  Delaware,  North  Carolina,  and  New  York. 

In  January,  1770,  the  people  of  this  town  assembled,  and 
voted  not  to  purchase  any  thing  of  those  merchants  in  Boston 
who  imported  goods  from  Great  Britain ; and  adopted  a reso- 
lution of  thanks  to  those  merchants,  who,  by  refusing  to 
import  such  goods,  sacrificed  their  own  interest  to  the  good 
of  their  country.  This  meeting  was  called  upon  the  peti- 
tion of  twenty-eight  persons,  which  was  drawn  by  William 
Henshaw,  dated  Dec.  25,  1769,  in  the  following  words:  — 

Whereas  there  are  several  persons  in  this  Province  who  have  sor- 
didly detached  themselves  from  the  public  interest,  and  have  taken 
advantage  of  the  agreement  entered  into  by  the  merchants  for  non- 
importation, thereby  endeavoring  to  defeat  their  noble  design  of  saving 
their  country  from  slavery;  we,  the  subscribers,  will  endeavor  by  all 
lawful  means  to  prevent  their  base  designs : and,  for  that  end,  we  }>ray 
that  you  will  grant  a warrant  for  the  calling  a town-meeting  to  act  on 
the  following  articles  ; viz.,  to  vote  that  any  person,  being  an  inhabi- 
tant of  Leicester,  who  shall,  directly  or  indirectly,  purchase  any  goods 
or  merchandise  of  John  Barnard,  James  and  Patrick  M‘Masters,  John 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


283 


Mien,  Ann  and  Elizabeth  Cummings,  all  of  Boston ; Henry  Barnet  of 
Marlborough;  Dunkin  and  Campbell  of  Worcester;  or  any  other  per- 
son who  imports  goods  from  Great  Britain,  or  shopkeeper  who  purchases 
of  any  imported  contrary  to  the  agreement  entered  into  by  the  mer- 
chants of  Boston,  — such  persons  so  offending  shall  be  deemed  enemies 
to  America,  and,  as  such,  shall  be  recorded  in  the  town’s  book  of 
records.” 

The  loss  of  trade  arising  from  these  compacts  not  to  pur- 
chase English  goods  had  such  a disastrous  effect  upon  the 
business  of  that  country,  that,  in  March  following  (1770),  it 
was  voted  to  repeal  all  these  obnoxious  duties,  except  that 
upon  tea.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  misjudged  than 
retaining  this.  It  showed,  by  the  repeal  of  the  other  duties, 
how  much  the  country  had  been  troubled  by  the  retaliatory 
acts  of  the  Colonies  ; and  it  did  little  more  than  keep  alive  the 
source  of  irritation  which  drove  them  at  last  to  exasperation. 

AVe  see,  as  we  trace  the  events  that  took  place  at  this 
period,  how  the  people  grew  more  and  more  bold  and  resolute 
in  their  resolutions  till  the  final  rupture.  Resolutions  were 
followed  by  acts.  They  first  studied  and  settled  in  their 
own  minds  what  were  their  rights,  and  next  took  measures 
to  maintain  them. 

In  May,  1770,  a company  of  forty-six  men  belonging  to 
this  town  formed  an  association  to  familiarize  themselves 
with  the  drill  and  manual  of  the  soldier ; and  devoted  after- 
noons every  week  to  the  purpose,  although  the  season  of 
the  year  rendered  such  a loss  of  time  from  the  business 
of  their  farms  especially  inconvenient.  They  elected  William 
ITenshaw,  captain;  Seth  Washburn,  lieutenant;  and  Samuel 
Denny,  ensign. 

In  1771,  the  town  took  the  decided  step  of  voting  to  pur- 
chase one  hundred  pounds  of  powder,  with  bullets  and  flints 
in  proportion. 

Until  this  time  (1771),  the  Governor  had  been  dependent 
upon  the  Legislature  for  the  payment  of  his  salary;  but,  in 


284 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


order  to  relieve  him  from  the  constant  annoyance  to  which 
he  had  been  subjected  during  the  growing  controversy 
between  the  prerogative  and  the  people  by  their  refusing  to 
provide  him  a proper  support,  it  was  resolved  by  the  govern- 
ment at  home  to  pay  him  a fixed  salary  of  an  adequate  amount 
out  of  the  American  revenue.  This  gave  great  umbrage  to 
the  people.  The  General  Court,  in  1772,  adopted  strong  and 
decided  resolutions  against  it,  as  being  an  infraction  of  their 
charter ; but  it  was  from  Boston,  as  usual,  that  the  most 
systematic  efibrts  emanated  for  enlightening  and  arousing 
the  public  mind. 

One  of  the  memorable  town-meetings  of  Boston  was  called 
on  the  2d  November,  1772;  when  a large  committee,  at  the 
head  of  which  was  James  Otis,  was  raised,  “ to  state  the  rights 
of  the  colonists,  and  of  this  Province  in  particular,  as  men, 
as  Christians,  and  as  subjects ; to  communicate  and  publish 
the  same  to  the  several  towns  in  the  Province,  and  to  the 
world,  as  the  sense  of  this  town,  with  the  infringements  and 
violations  thereof  that  have  been,  or  from  time  to  time  may 
be,  made.  Also  requesting  of  each  town  a free  communica- 
tion of  their  sentiments  on  the  subject.” 

When  it  is  remembered,  that,  in  addition  to  its  chairman 
being  James  Otis,  that  committee  embraced  among  its  num- 
bers Samuel  Adams,  Joseph  Warren,  and  Josiah  Quincy,  it  is 
unnecessary  to  say  that  their  report  presented  the  rights  and 
the  wrongs  of  the  Colony  with  a power  and  an  effect  that 
were  felt  throughout  Massachusetts  and  beyond  its  borders. 

Leicester  received  one  of  these  reports,  and  immediately 
convened  its  inhabitants  “ to  hear  a letter  from  the  town  of 
Boston,  with  a pamphlet  accompanying  it,  wherein  the  rights 
of  the  colonists  are  stated,  with  the  infringement  thereof ; 
and  to  consider  and  advise  thereon,  and  come  into  such  mea- 
sures as  the  town  may  think  proper,  in  co-operation  with  the 
other  towns  in  the  Province,  either  by  instructing  our  repre- 
sentative, or  any  other  means  that  may  appear  to  them  best  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


285 


contribute  to  the  restoring  those  privileges  we  are  deprived 
of,  or  establishing  those  we  enjoy.” 

This  meeting  was  held  on  the  4th  January,  1773.  At  this 
meeting,  the  town  voted, — 

“ 1st,  That  the  rights,  as  therein  stated,  do  belong  to  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Province. 

“ 2d,  That  they  would  choose  a committee  of  nine  persons  to  take 
the  matter  into  consideration,  and  report,  as  soon  as  may  be,  what  they 
think  proper  for  this  town  to  do.” 

The  committee  consisted  of  Capt.  Brown,  William  Hen- 
shaw,  and  Hezekiah  Ward,  of  Leicester;  Moses  Livermore 
and  Joshua  Lamb,  of  Spencer;  Capt.  Witt,  Capt.  Brown,  and 
Willard  J^Ioore,  of  Paxton.'^ 

The  committee  prepared  a series  of  resolves ; which,  with 
the  instruction  at  the  same  time  adopted,  to  be  communi- 
cated to  their  representative,  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 
These  papers  were  undoubtedly  from  the  pen  of  William 
Henshaw.  Additional  instructions  were  adopted,  in  May 
following,  at  the  election  of  their  representative.  Seth  Wash- 
burn was  moderator  of  the  meeting  ; but  the  record  does  not 
indicate  who  prepared  these.  Several  of  the  papers  of  that 
day  were  the  productions  of  the  ready  and  vigorous  pen  of 
Joseph  Allen,  Esq.  The  instructions  are  copied  into  the 
Appendix,  and  speak,  in  their  language,  the  spirit  that  dic- 
tated the  measures  of  the  men  who  had  then  assembled. 

Every  thing,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  growing  more  and 
more  threatening.  The  tea  had  been  thrown  into  the  dock 
at  Boston.  The  letters  of  Gov.  Hutchinson  to  the  ministry 
had  been  discovered  by  some  mysterious  agency,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Colony;  and  the  governor  had  become  suspected, 
and  detested  by  the  people  generally. 

Great  injustice  was  undoubtedly  done  to  Gov.  ITutch in- 
son  in  regard  to  the  measures  of  the  ministry.  He  was  a 


This  wais  Miijor  Moore,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 


286 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


loyalist,  ambitious  of  royal  favor,  and  shared  largely  in  the 
royal  patronage  ; but  Massachusetts  was  his  birthplace  and 
his  home;  and  the  printed  works  that  he  left  show  with 
what  sentiments  of  affection  he  ever  regarded  her. 

In  December,  1773,  another  meeting  of  the  people  of 
Leicester,  Spencer,  and  Paxton,  was  held;  and  resolutions 
were  adopted,  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  A com- 
mittee of  fourteen  was  appointed  to  inspect  any  teas  that 
may  be  sold  or  consumed  in  the  town  and  district  aforesaid, 
and  report,  at  the  annual  meeting  in  May,  the  names  of  the  per- 
sons so  offending ; and  it  was  ordered,  that  the  proceedings 
of  the  meeting  should  be  recorded,  and  forwarded  by  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  to  the  committee  in  Boston. 

Parliament,  exasperated  by  the  destruction  of  the  tea,  now 
maddened  the  people  still  more  by  undertaking  to  punish 
Boston  by  passing  the  famous  Boston  Port  Bill  ” early  in 
1774.  The  Boston  Committee  of  Correspondence  thereupon 
addressed  letters  to  the  several  towns  in  the  Colony.  Many 
of  the  replies  to  them  have  recently  been  published  by  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 

It  is  difficult  for  us,  at  this  time,  to  understand  how  slow 
and  infrequent  was  the  communication  between  one  part  of 
the  country  and  another.  It  was  almost  impossible  to  reach 
the  great  bod}^  of  the  people.  Instead  of  a press  sending 
out  its  newspapers  daily  into  every  hamlet,  and  almost  every 
house,  in  the  land,  so  that  what  is  said  or  thought  in  Boston 
in  the  morning  is  read  by  or  before  the  next  morning  all 
over  the  State,  the  only  way  of  communicating  with  the 
masses  was  by  pamphlets  and  circulars  sent  to  the  several 
towns  by  special  messengers,  and  then  calling  the  people  for- 
mally together,  and  reading  these  in  their  hearing. 

I happen  to  have  before  me  a memorandum  in  a private 
diary,  which  illustrates  the  slow  transmission  of  news  at  that 
day.  The  tea,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  destroyed  in  Boston 
on  the  evening  of  the  16th  December.  The  entry  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


287 


diary  I am  speaking  of — and  it  was  that  of  a man  much 
engaged  in  public  business  at  the  time,  and  living  upon  the 
Great  Post  Koad  — was  “Monday,  21st  December,  spent  at 
home.  Heard  of  the  destruction  of  the  East-India  Company's 
tea  in  Boston  by  a body  of  three  hundred  men ; taken  out  of 
the  vessels,  and  thrown  overboard.” 

The  eflSciency  of  these  Committees  of  Correspondence  was 
manifested  in  various  ways  during  the  whole  struggle  Avith 
the  Royal  Government.  It  is  hardly  too  much  to  say,  that,  at 
times,  they  were  the  government.  WhateA^er  emanated  from 
the  central  body  Avas  sure,  in  a few  days,  to  reach  CA^ery  part 
of  the  Colony. 

In  May,  1774,  in  addition  to  instructions  to  their  represen- 
tath^e,  the  toAvn  voted  to  ansAver  a letter  just  receiA^ed  by 
them  from  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  in  Boston.  A 
committee,  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  resolutions,  Avas 
raised,  consisting  of  James  Baldwin,  jun.,  Joseph  Henshaw, 
Oliver  Witt,  Joseph  Allen,  OliA^er  Watson,  Lieut.  Lamb,  and 
Willard  Moore ; Avhile  the  letter  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence  of  the  town.  The  resolutions  and 
letter  AAdiich  were  reported  and  adopted  are  copied  into  the 
Appendix.  The  letter  Avas  transmitted  by  the  clerk  of  the 
toAvn  to  the  town-clerk  of  Boston. 

The  ministry  Avent  on  madly  in  their  measures  of  alienation 
and  exasperation  by  the  appointment  of  “ Mandamus  Coun- 
cillors ” in  the  place  of  their  being  elected,  as  provided  in 
the  Province  Charter ; and  by  prohibiting  the  assembling 
of  the  people  in  their  toAAm-meetings,  except  for  specific 
purposes. 

The  people  greAv  justly  alarmed  at  these  strides  toAvards 
despotic  poAA^er ; and  a toA\m-meeting  Av^as  held  in  Boston,  from 
wliich  an  appeal  emanated  in  May  to  their  oAvn  felloAA^-citi- 
zens  and  the  people  of  the  other  Colonies.  The  proposition 
Avas  made  for  the  suspension  of  all  commerce  Avith  Great 
Britain. 


288 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  June,  there  was  a warrant  issued  for  a meeting  of  this 
town,  on  the  6th  July,  to  consider  the  state  of  the  public  affairs. 
They  uttered  their  sentiments,  as  usual,  in  the  form  of  re- 
solves. The  committee  who  were  to  prepare  these  seem  to 
have  been  carefully  selected,  and  consisted  of  Thomas  Denny, 
Joseph  Henshaw,  and  Joseph  Allen,  of  Leicester;  James 
Draper  and  Joseph  Wilson,  of  Spencer ; and  Oliver  Witt  and 
Ralph  Earle,  of  Paxton.  They  are  quite  extended  ; but  their 
perusal  is  the  best  means  I have  for  exhibiting  what  the 
people  thought  and  how  they  felt  at  that  time.  They  may 
be  found  in  the  Appendix. 

The  same  meeting  raised  a committee  to  present  the 
covenant,”  not  to  purchase  or  import  any  goods  from  Eng- 
land, Ireland,  or  the  West  Indies,  for  signature,  to  all  who  had 
not  signed  it,  in  order  that  they  might  have  the  opportunity 
to  do  so.  In  such  a state  of  feeling,  few  could  have  dared, 
even  if  they  had  wished,  to  decline  such  an  invitation.  The 
ban  of  public  opinion  was  too  formidable  to  be  encountered 
by  men  of  ordinary  courage.  I have  no  reason,  however,  to 
suppose  that  the  measure  did  not  meet  the  cordial  assent  of 
all  the  people  of  the  town,  with  the  exception  of  Judge 
Steele. 

On  the  6th  September,  1774,  in  pursuance  of  an  invitation 
from  a Convention  of  the  Committees  of  Correspondence  of 
the  county  of  Worcester,  a body  of  six  thousand  men  assem- 
bled at  Worcester,  and  so  effectually  blocked  up  the  access  to 
the  Court  House,  that  the  Inferior  Court,  then  about  to  assem- 
ble, were  unable  to  open  the  term,  and  never  afterwards 
resumed  their  functions. 

The  journal  of  the  meetings  of  this  Convention,  which  was 
published  more  than  twenty  years  ago,  enriched  as  it  was  by 
notes  of  its  accomplished  editor,  the  late  William  Lincoln, 
Esq.,  added  much  to  the  fund  of  information  before  possessed 
as  to  the  movements  in  the  county  preliminary  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. It  first  met  Aug.  9,  1774.  At  that  time,  the  Com- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


289 


mittee  of  Correspondence  of  Leicester,  who  attended,  were 
Thomas  Denny,  William  Henshaw,  Joseph  Henshaw,  and 
Rev.  Benjamin  Conklin.  William  Henshaw  was  elected  the 
clerk  of  the  convention.  It  was  opened  by  prayer  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Conklin,  who  was  second  to  no  one  in  zeal  and 
earnestness  in  the  cause  for  which  it  had  assembled.  At  its 
meeting  on  the  30th  August,  the  resolution  which  called  for 
this  mass  meeting  of  the  people  as  a body  was  reported  by 
Joseph  Henshaw,  which  was  in  these  words  : In  order  to 

prevent  the  execution  of  the  late  Act  of  Parliament  respect- 
ing the  courts,  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of  this 
county  to  attend  in  person  the  next  Inferior  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  and  General  Sessions,  to  be  holden  at  Worcester,  in  and 
for  said  county,  on  the  6th  of  September  next.’’  As  it  was 
anticipated  that  the  royal  troops  would  be  sent  to  sustain  the 
court,  the  people  were  recommended  to  come  properly  armed, 
if  they  should  have  ^intelligence  of  such  troops  being  on 
the  march. 

The  convention  itself  met  on  that  day.  The  people  were 
under  the  command  of  officers  of  their  own  election,  each 
town  being  under  a separate  command,  and  marched  in  mili- 
tary array.  They  were  formed  into  two  lines ; and  through 
these  the  justices  and  officers  of  the  court  were  compelled  to 
march,  stopping  at  brief  intervals,  and  repeating  a written 
declaration  of  their  submission  to  the  public  will.  They 
were  followed  by  forty-three  royalists  belonging  to  Worcester, 
who  had  made  themselves  obnoxious  by  protesting  against 
the  revolutionary  movements  of  the  patriots,  but  who  now 
read  a recantation  of  their  errors. 

The  Court  of  Sessions  then  consisted  of  all  the  justices  of 
the  peace  in  the  county.  A paper  was  accordingly  prepared 
for  these  to  sign,  addressed  to  the  people  of  the  county, 
assuring  them  that  the  court  would  stay  all  judicial  proceed- 
ings. This  paper  bears  the  signature  of  Judge  Steele;  and, 
among  other  justices,  that  of  Daniel  Henshaw ; while  a sepa- 

37 


290 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


rate  assurance  was  signed  by  Gardner  Chandler,  the  sheriff, 
and  Rufus  Chandler,  John  Sprague,  and  Nathaniel  Chandler, 
as  attorneys  of  the  court. 

A portion  of  these  justices,  among  whom  was  Judge  Steele, 
had  addressed  a congratulatory  letter  to  Gov.  Gage  on  his 
arrival.  These  were  required,  in  addition  to  the  general 
confession  and  promise,  to  make  an  acknowledgment  of  their 
fault  in  writing.  The  name  of  Judge  Steele  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  paper. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  follow  the  journal  of  this  conven- 
tion, any  further  than  may  be  necessary  to  illustrate  the 
action  of  this  town.  At  its  various  meetings,  Leicester  was 
uniformly  represented ; and  the  records  of  its  proceedings 
show  that  the  representatives  of  that  town  held  a prominent 
place  among  their  associates.  The  committees  of  Worcester 
and  Leicester  were  made  a standing  committee  for  the  county, 
to  correspond  with  other  Committees  of  Correspondence ; 
and  call  a County  Congressional  Convention,  whenever  they 
thought  proper ; and  to  them  were  added  Thomas  Denny  and 
Joseph  Henshaw  of  Leicester,  and  Joshua  Bigelow  of  Worces- 
ter. Hezekiah  Ward  and  Thomas  Newhall  had  been  elected 
members  of  the  committee  of  Leicester,  in  the  places  of  Col. 
Denny  and  Col.  Henshaw,  since  the  first  meeting  of  the  con- 
vention. The  convention,  among  other  things,  adopted  a 
spirited  remonstrance,  addressed  to  Gov.  Gage  ; and  appointed 
Joseph  Henshaw,  Thomas  Denny,  and  Willard  Moore,  to  pre- 
sent the  same.  The  paper  bore  the  names  of  Joseph  Henshaw, 
chairman;  and  William  Henshaw,  clerk.  The  date  of  these 
proceedings  was  the  21st  September,  1774. 

It  will  be  recollected,  that,  though  no  open  rupture  had 
taken  place,  there  had,  practically,  grown  up  a separation 
between  the  Royal  Government  and  the  people  of  the  Colony. 
In  June,  the  Governor  had  dissolved  the  General  Court. 
Early  in  September,  writs  for  the  election  of  a new  House  of 
Representatives  were  issued,  to  meet,  on  the  5th  of  October, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


291 


at  Salem  ; but,  before  that  day  arrived,  the  order  for  the  elec- 
(1  tion  was  revoked  by  proclamation. 

S Those  who  had  been  chosen  representatives,  however,  were 

• instructed  by  their  respective  towns  to  meet  at  the  appointed 

m time  and  place,  and  to  resolve  themselves  into  a Provin- 
» cial  Congress,  and  repair  to  Concord  to  hold  their  meeting. 

This  was  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of  the  Worcester 
^ Convention.  In  anticipation  of  the  result,  the  Convention 

Jl  divided  the  county  into  seven  regiments  ; recommended  that 

S the  towns  choose  their  company-officers,  and  those  the  field- 

9 ‘ officers  ; and  that  the  company-officers  of  the  minute-men 

3 should  meet  at  Worcester  on  the  17th  October,  and  propor- 
J tion  their  regiments  and  choose  their  field-officers. 

I The  Convention,  in  fact,  felt  themselves  called  upon  to 

I exercise  many  of  the  functions  of  government,  although  it 

I could  only  be  done  by  the  way  of  advice  and  recommenda- 

i tion ; and  never  was  public  sentiment  better  united  or  more 

^ potent  in  its  action  than  at  this  moment  in  the  Colony. 

^ As  an  instance  of  the  manner  in  which  it  made  itself  felt, 

I would  refer  to  a convention  of  blacksmiths,  which  was  held 
j at  Worcester  on  the  8th  September,  1774;  at  which  Ross 
Wyman  of  Shrewsbury  presided,  and  Timothy  Bigelow,  after- 
f wards  the  distinguished  colonel  of  the  fifteenth  regiment  of 
j the  Massachusetts  line  in  the  Continental  service,  was  clerk. 
5 Seth  Washburn  of  Leicester  was  among  its  members.  They 
} resolved,  among  other  things,  that  they  would  not  work 
I for  any  whom  they  esteemed  enemies  to  the  country,  — viz., 
V Tories,  councillors  by  mandamus  who  had  not  resigned,  and 
|.  those  who  addressed  Gov.  Hutchinson  on  his  departure  ; 

j and  specified  by  name  Timothy  Ruggles  of  Hardwick,  John 

^lurray  of  Rutland,  and  James  Putnam  of  Worcester.  They 
put  under  the  ban  all  who  had  not  signed  the  non-consump- 
tion covenant,’’  and  appealed  to  all  classes  of  artificers  to 
form  similar  associations. 

In  the  military  organization  adopted  by  the  County  Con- 


292 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


v.ention,  one-third  of  all  the  men  able  to  do  duty,  between 
eighteen  and  sixty,  were  to  be  enrolled  as  minute-men.’^ 
The  first  regiment  was  made  up  of  the  towns  of  Worcester, 
Leicester,  Spencer,  Holden,  and  Paxton. 

It  would  occupy  too  much  space  to  refer  any  more,  in 
detail,  to  the  proceedings  of  this  County  Convention ; though, 
for  a considerable  time,  this  and  similar  conventions  in  other 
counties  practically  constituted  the  governing  power  of  the 
Province.  The  House  of  Representatives  which  the  Gover- 
nor had  dissolved  in  June  was  the  last  that  was  assembled 
under  the  Royal  Charter.  The  poAver  of  the  Charter  Govern- 
ment had  come  to  a stop ; the  courts  of  justice  were  closed ; 
the  Province  Avas  Avithout  any  body  to  make  or  expound  the 
laAvs ; and  the  staff  of  the  executive  Avas  broken  in  pieces. 
But  such  AA^as  the  force  of  public  sentiment,  such  the  sense 
of  right  and  wrong  Avhich  pervaded  the  community,  and  so 
significant  was  the  judgment  Avhich  was  expressed  in  their 
public  assemblies,  that  neAmr  Avas  there  less  complaint  of 
justice  denied,  or  injustice  done  between  man  and  man,  than 
in  this  interval  of  courts  and  legislation.  Leicester  voted  in 
toAvn-meeting,  that,  Avhatever  differences  might  arise  in  the 
town,  they  should  be  settled  by  such  indifferent  men  as 
the  parties  should  agree  upon ; and  this  recommendation 
Avms,  I believe,  uniformly  observed. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  Superior  Court  in  Worcester  had 
been  in  April;  Avhen,  in  anticipation  of  Chief- Justice  Oliver 
being  present  and  presiding,  the  grand  jury  dreAv  up,  and 
fifteen  of  them  signed,  a protest  against  serving  in  that  ofiice 
if  the  Chief- Justice  were  to  be  present.  This  protest  Avas 
drawn  by  William  Henshaw,  and  bore  his  name  and  that  of 
Moses  Livermore  of  Spencer.  The  Chief- Justice  did  not 
attend,  and  the  business  of  the  term  was  suffered  to  proceed. 

The  term  of  the  court,  Avhich  was  to  have  met  at  Salem  on 
the  1st  November,  Avas  adjourned  by  the  sheriff,  Avithout  the 
judges  having  come  together  at  all. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


293 


Pursuant  to  the  original  notice  from  the  Governor,  this 
town  proceeded  to  elect  a representative  to  attend  the  Legis- 
lature at  Salem ; but  in  anticipation  of  the  subsequent  course 
pursued  by  him,  and  pursuant  to  the  recommendation  of  the 
County  Convention,  they  instructed  him  to  unite  in  forming  a 
Provincial  Congress.  The  representative  chosen  was  Thomas 
Denny ; and  the  instructions,  which  will  be  found  in  the  Ap- 
pendix, were  prepared  by  a committee,  consisting  of  Joseph 
Henshaw,  John  Brown,  Joseph  Allen,  of  Leicester;  Deacon 
Muzzy  and  Dr.  Ormes,  of  Spencer ; and  Phinehas  and  Willard 
Moore,  of  Paxton.  This  was  on  the  29th  September.  The 
same  committee,  on  the  10th  October,  prepared  new  instruc- 
tions to  Col.  Denny,  as  a member  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
which  were  then  adopted  by  the  town.'^ 

There  had  been,  however,  a meeting  of  the  town  on  the 
3d  of  October,  at  which  the  inhabitants  voted  that  the 
cannon  be  mounted  on  a proper  carriage  ; and  appointed 
Seth  Washburn,  Befij’amin  Richardson,  and  Capt.  Newhall, 
to  cause  this  to  be  done ; and  directed  the  selectmen  to  act 
in  their  prudence  respecting  persons  not  furnished  with  fire- 
arms. 

The  Provincial  Congress  met  at  Concord  on  the  11th 
October,  and  Mr.  Denny  attended:  but  he  was  soon  attacked 
with  sickness,  which  compelled  him  to  return  home ; where 
he  died  on  the  23d  October. 

His  death  was  not  only  a severe  loss  to  the  town,  but  to 
the  whole  Province.  He  had  won  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  the  leading  men  of  the  day,  and  is  spoken  of  by  Hutchin- 
son, in  his  third  volume  of  the  History  of  Massachusetts,” 
in  connection  with  Joseph  Hawley,  James  Warren,  and  seve- 
ral others,  who,  he  says,  may  be  considered  as  most  active 
and  zealous”  of  those  who,  in  1770,  were  in  the  opposition 
to  Parliament.” 


They  are  also  copied  in  the  Appendix. 


294 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


His  place  was  supplied  by  the  election  of  Joseph  Henshaw 
on  the  20th  October ; to  whom  the  same  instructions  were 
repeated,  with  an  additional  one,  that  he  should  use  his 
influence  that  Dorchester  Point  should  be  immediately 
taken  possession  of  and  fortified  by  this  Province.’’ 

Another  meeting  of  the  town  was  held  on  the  7th  Novem- 
ber, when  it  w’as  voted  to  provide  ammunition  for  the  cannon 
belonging  to  the  town,  — two  and  a half  barrels  of  powder 
and  four  hundred-weight  of  shot  or  balls.  A committee  was 
at  the  same  time  raised  ‘‘  to  supply  those  persons  with  pro- 
visions who  might  be  called  to  march  from  home  in  defence 
of  our  rights  and  privileges.” 

In  December,  the  town  chose  a committee  of  nine  * to 
carry  into  execution  the  resolves  and  proceedings  of  the 
Continental  and  Provincial  Congresses ; in  short,  to  take  the 
place  of  the  executive,  so  far  as  the  town  was  concerned. 
Eight  men  were  selected  to  manage  and  exercise  the  town’s 
cannon ; and  a subscription  was  recommended  for  the  relief  of 
the  poor  in  Boston  suffering  in  the  common  cause,”  and  a 
committee  raised  to  carry  this  vote  into  effect. 

This  w’as  the  last  of  the  eighteen  meetings  which  the  town 
had  held  during  the  year  1774:  but  on  the  9th  January, 
1775,  another  meeting  was  held;  when  it  was  voted  to  raise 
a company  of  minute-men  in  the  town,  and  that  a number 
should  be  draughted  for  that  purpose  from  the  trainbands  in 
the  town.  A committee  f was  raised  to  draw  up  articles  for  the 
men  to  sign. 

A company  of  nearly  fifty  men  was  accordingly  raised,  of 
which  Seth  Washburn  was  elected  captain;  William  Watson 
and  Nathaniel  Harrod,  first  and  second  lieutenants.  The 


♦ These  were  Joseph  Henshaw,  Hezekiah  Ward,  Jonathan  Newhall,  Joseph  Sargent, 
William  Green,  Seth  Washburn,  Samuel  Denny,  Thomas  Newhall,  and  Samuel 
Green. 

t Jonathan  Newhall,  William  King,  Samuel  Denny,  Seth  Washburn,  and  Joseph 
Henshaw. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


295 


standing  company  in  the  town  was  under  the  command  of 
Thomas  Newhall,  with  Benjamin  Eichardson  and  Ebenezer 
Upham,  first  and  second  lieutenants.  This,  it  should  be 
remembered,  was  not  altogether  a new  movement  in  town. 
They  had  had,  as  already  stated,  a company  of  volunteer 
minute-men  since  1770;  and  this  new  organization  was  only 
to  comply  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress. 

So  intent  were  the  members  of  this  volunteer  company  in 
the  necessary  preparation  for  active  service,  that  they  hired 
a drill-officer,  who  had  been  in  the  regular  armyj  to  train 
them  ; meeting  weekly  or  oftener  for  drill,  and  for  several 
days  before  the  19th  April,  1775,  doing  so  daily:  so  that, 
when  the  alarm  reached  Leicester  of  the  march  of  the  British 
troops  to  Lexington,  every  man  was  found  ready  to  move, 
literally,  at  a minute’s  warning. 

It  was  not,  as  sopae  writer  has  said,  that  the  battle  of 
Lexington  roused  a warlike  spirit  in  the  community : it  found 
that  spirit  already  roused  and  organized.  The  people  who, 
upon  the  alarm  of  the  19th  April,  gathered  by  fifties  and  by 
hundreds,  to  more  than  twelve  thousand  in  all,  in  Cambridge 
and  its  vicinity,  on  the  20th  and  the  few  following  days  in 
April,  1775,  were  not  a mob,  nor  a mass  of  men  drawn  together 
by  accident  or  passion.  They  rushed  to  the  scene  of  action 
to  do  service  as  soldiers,  already  organized  into  companies 
and  regiments ; and  if  without  the  discipline,  they  were 
without  the  habits  and  vices,  of  the  camp. 

The  anxiety  of  the  town  for  the  restoration  of  an  orderly 
government  is  elicited  by  the  instructions  * which  they  gave 
to  Joseph  Henshaw,  their  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress, Jan.  9,  1775 ; and  they  show  in  all  their  proceedings  a 
disposition  to  perserve  order.  Thus  we  find  them  voting 


* The  committee  who  prepared  them  were  Joseph  Allen,  Seth  Washburn,  Samuel 
Green,  of  Leicester;  Deacon  Mussy  and  Dr.  William  Frink,  of  Spencer. 


296 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


in  town -meeting  in  March,  that  they  would  aid  and  assist 
the  sheriff  and  constables  in  apprehending  and  securing  any 
riotous  or  disorderly  persons.  At  the  same  meeting,  they 
voted,  that,  as  it  was  probable  some  interesting  events  might 
turn  up  between  that  time  and  May  meeting,  each  minute- 
man  should  be  allowed  the  sum  of  six  shillings  as  a bounty 
for  his  service ; and,  if  called  upon  to  march,  to  be  allowed 
Province  pay.’’  They  further  voted  to  procure  pouches  for 
the  use  of  the  company. 

They  were  right  in  their  conjectures.  Interesting  events 
did  turn’ up  before  May  meeting;  events,  compared  with 
which,  the  history  of  no  nation  can  present  any  thing  of 
deeper  interest,  — the  opening  scene  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution. Early  in  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  the  19th  of 
April,  a horseman  rode  furiously  through  the  little  village 
of  the  Leicester  of  that  day ; and  stopping  for  a moment  in 
front  of  the  blacksmith -shop  of  the  captain  of  the  minute- 
company,  a little  west  of  the  present  house  of  Mr.  John 
Loring,  announced,  in  a hurried  voice,  that  the  war  had 
begun,  the  regulars  were  marching  to  Concord  ! ” and  rode  on 
to  carry  the  alarm  to  the  towns  lying  west  of  Leicester.  He 
stopped  for  no  explanation ; nor  was  any  needed.  Who  he 
was,  or  by  what  authority  he  came,  no  one  inquired,  nor  can 
I find  that  it  was  ever  known. 

The  captain  threw  down  the  ploughshare  upon  which  he 
was  at  work ; seized  his  musket,  which  stood  by  him,  ready 
loaded  for  the  purpose  (for  there  was  no  bell  in  town  with 
which  to  ring  an  alarm),  and,  rushing  into  the  street,  dis- 
charged it.  The  signal  was  understood ; and,  without  waiting 
for  further  orders,  the  appointed  messengers  were  at  once  on 
their  way  to  arouse  the  men  of  the  company.  These  were 
scattered  in  the  various  parts  of  the  town,  — many  of  them 
three  or  four  miles  from  the  place  of  their  parade,  and 
engaged  upon  their  farms  ; but,  before  four  o’clock,  every 
man  of  that  company  was  on  the  Common,  by  the  Meeting- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


297 


house,  ready  to  answer  to  the  roll-call.  Some  of  them  had 
literally  left  their  ploughs  in  the  furrow.  Not  one  of  them 
had  a uniform.  They  hastily  changed  their  working-dresses 
for  a more  fitting  garb;  seized  their  fire -locks,  — most  of 
them  of  that  kind  known  as  the  ‘‘  Queen’s  arms,”  from  having 
come  down  to  them  from  the  wars  of  Queen  Anne’s  time, — 
with  their  powder-horns  and  bullet-pouches  ; and,  on  foot  or 
on  horseback,  made  their  way  in  the  shortest  and  nearest 
routes,  and  across  the  fields,  where,  by  so  doing,  they  could 
sooner  reach  the  point  of  rendezvous ; and  were  mustered, 
and  actually  on  their  march,  some  time  before  sunset. 

But  there  were  others  besides  soldiers  gathered,  that  after- 
noon, on  that  little  muster-ground.  There  were  groups  of 
spectators,  who  shared  in  the  excitement  of  the  scene,  and 
witnessed  this  hurried  preparation  with  apprehension  and 
alarm.  There  were  the  fathers  and  mothers,  and  in  many 
instances  the  wives,  of  this  little  band ; bringing  with  them 
such  few  necessaries  as  they  were  able  to  supply  for  the 
night -march  that  was  before  them,  and  the  battle-field  or 
the  camp  to  which  they  were  hastening. 

In  that  solemn  moment,  the  most  thoughtless  grew  serious  ; 
and  when  the  clergyman  of  the  parish  (the  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin), 
while  the  men  rested  upon  their  muskets,  lifted  up  his  voice 
in  prayer  for  their  protection  and  safe  return,  every  head 
was  uncovered  and  every  murmur  hushed,  and  every  heart 
gathered  new  strength  to  meet  whatever  emergency  awaited 
this  little  band. 

I have  heard  this  scene,  as  well  as  many  of  the  little 
incidents  connected  with  it,  described  in  simple  terms  by 
more  than  one  eye-witness.  The  mother  of  the  commander 
of  the  company,  then  an  aged  woman,  had  come  with  others 
to  witness  their  departure.  With  deep  emotion,  which  she 
struggled  to  suppress,  she  came  near  her  son  as  he  was 
giving  the  word  to  march,  to  bid  him  God’s  speed ; when, 
turning  to  her,  with  a cheerful  voice  he  said,  ‘‘  Mother,  you 

38 


298 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


pray  for  me,  and  I Ydll  fight  for  you  and,  at  the  “ Forward  ’’ 
which  followed,  the  march  was  begun. 

Among  the  spectators  on  that  occasion  was  Dr.  Honey- 
wood,  who  is  mentioned  in  another  part  of  this  work.  He 
had  been  born  and  educated  in  England,  and  had  never 
believed  that  the  colonists  would  dare  to  push  measures  to 
an  actual  outbreak  with  the  mother- country ; but  when  he 
saw  the  alacrity  with  which  that  company  had  come  together, 
and  the  readiness  and  coolness  with  Avhich  they  took  up 
their  line  of  march,  on  that  occasion,  his  convictions  were 
changed.  Addressing  those  around  him,  he  exclaimed,  Such 
men  as  these  icill  fight ; and,  what  is  more,  by  G — ! they 
won’t  be  beat.” 

It  was  about  an  hour  and  a half  before  sundown  when  the 
company  began  their  march.  The  group  of  spectators  stood 
gazing  upon  them  till  the  last  platoon  had  disappeared  below 
the  hill  on  which  the  village  is  built;  and,  when  the  sound 
of  the  drum  had  died  away  in  the  distance,  they  dispersed  to 
their  several  homes.  But  I need  not  tell  you,”  said  an  eye- 
witness to  me,  that  that  night  was  a solemn  one  to  the 
people  of  Leicester.  Soon  after  Capt.  Washburn’s  company 
had  left,  they  were  followed  by  the  standing  company  of  the 
town,  under  Capt.  Newhall.  Soon  after  dark,  we  heard  the 
Spencer  Company  pass  ; and,  before  morning,  the  company 
from  Brookfield  followed  them.  Lights  shone  from  the  win- 
dows along  the  highway,  and  not  an  eye  was  closed  that 
night  in  the  village.” 

In  this  company  of  minute-men  was  a son  of  Nathan 
Sargent,  who  lived  near  the  line  of  Worcester,  where  Mr. 
Sewall  Sargent  now  lives.  As  the  company  came  up,  they 
halted  in  front  of  his  house.  Air.  Sargent  came  out  to  greet 
them,  and  inquired  of  the  captain  if  they  were  supplied  with 
ammunition.  On  hearing  that  there  was  a deficiency  in  bul- 
lets, he  went  back  into  his  house,  took  from  his  clock  the 
leaden  weights  that  carried  it,  and,  melting  them  down,  cast 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


299 


them  into  bullets,  which  he  brought  out,  and  distributed  to 
the  men. 

Soon  after  sundown,  the  company  reached  Worcester;  where 
they  were  joined  by  other  companies,  and  continued  a rapid 
march  till  near  morning ; when,  having  heard  that  the  regulars 
had  retreated  into  Boston,  they  halted  at  Marlborough.  The 
next  day,  they  moved  forward  to  Watertown ; and,  the  day 
following,  to  Cambridge.  Between  Worcester  and  Marlbo- 
rough they  found  lights  burning  in  every  window  by  the 
wayside,  and  were  greeted  on  their  way  by  groups  of  people 
who  were  gathered  to  witness  so  novel  and  exciting  a spec- 
tacle.* 

Eighty  men  marched  on  that  occasion  from  this  town  ; while 
Col.  William  Henshaw,  Lieut.-Col.  Samuel  Denny,  Lieut.-Col. 
Joseph  Henshaw,  and  Adjutant  John  Southgate,  from  the 
same  town,  were  early  on  their  way  to  the  scene  of  action  to 
take  charge  of  their  respective  regiments. f 

The  rolls  and  periods  of  service  of  these  men,  as  well  as 
of  those  who  enlisted  and  held  office  in  what  was  called  the 
“ eight-months’  service,”  may  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
work. 

The  company  which  Capt.  Washburn  enlisted  for  the  eight- 
months’  service  consisted  of  fifty-nine  men,  chiefly  from 
Leicester,  from  his  own  and  Capt.  Newhall’s  companies.  The 
remainder  of  these  men,  after  a service  varying  from  thirteen 
to  twent}^-six  days,  were  discharged,  and  returned  home. 
This  company  was  attached  to  the  regiment  of  which  Artemas 
Ward  was  colonel;  Jonathan  Ward,  lieutenanhcolonel ; Ed- 
ward Barnes,  major ; and  Timothy  Bigelow,  second  major. 


• Many  of  the  details  of  this  day  I have  derived,  as  I have  elsewhere  stated,  from 
the  personal  narrative  of  the  late  Nathan  Craige,  Ksq.,  who  was  a member  of  Capt. 
Washburn’s  company;  some  from  a daughter  of  Capt.  Wsushburn,  who  was  present 
when  the  company  was  mustered;  and  some  from  the  late  John  Sargent,  a son  of 
Nathan  Sargent,  who  was  present  when  they  halted  in  front  of  his  father’s  house. 

t Spencer  sent  fifty-six  men,  under  Capt.  Mason;  and  Paxton,  thirty-four,  under 
Capt.  Phinehas  Moore. 


300 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


As  Artemas  Ward  was  soon  made  the  commander-in-chief  of 
the  forces,  Lieut.-CoL  Ward  was  promoted  to  the  command  of 
it ; though  it  was  still  called  Gen.  Ward^s  regiment.  Jonathan 
Ward  belonged  to  Southborough ; so  did  Major  Barnes  : Major 
Bigelow,  to  Worcester. 

One  or  two  facts  should  be  mentioned  in  the  history  of  the 
town,  before  noting  the  part  which  its  soldiers  took  in  the 
events  subsequent  to  the  new  organization  of  the  troops. 

In  May,  1775,  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw  was  appointed  by 
the  Provincial  Congress  to  repair  to  Connecticut,  and  consult 
with  the  Government  of  that  Colony  upon  what  measures 
should  be  adopted  in  order  to  maintain  possession  of  Fort 
Ticonderoga,  which  had  just  before  that  capitulated  to  Ethan 
Allen,  in  obedience  to  his  demand,  “in  the  name  of  Jehovah 
and  the  Continental  Congress.’^ 

Oliver  Watson  was  chosen  to  represent  Leicester  and 
Spencer  in  the  Provincial  Congress,  in  the  place  of  Mr. 
Henshaw.  He  belonged  to  Spencer;  having,  some  years 
before,  removed  there  from  Leicester. 

In  the  same  month  of  May,  the  Congress  had  undertaken 
to  relieve  the  poor  of  the  town  of  Boston  by  assigning  them 
to  the  towns  in  numbers  proportioned  to  their  ability  to  aid 
them.  Five  hundred  and  thirty-nine  were  assigned  to  the 
county  of  Worcester:  of  whom  Leicester  was  required  to 
relieve  thirty-six ; Spencer,  thirty-one  ; and  Paxton,  twenty. 

At  this  time,  also,  an  estimate  was  made,  and  returned  to 
the  Congress,  of  the  quantity  of  powder,  belonging  to  the 
several  towns,  which  could  be  spared  by  them  for  the  public 
service ; and  it  was  found  to  amount  only  to  the  paltry  sum 
of  sixty-seven  and  three-quarter  barrels.  Only  forty  towns 
in  the  State  could  furnish  any.  Of  these,  Leicester  was  to 
furnish  one  barrel;  Worcester,  one;  and  Lancaster,  one. 
The  whole  Province  stock  of  powder,  in  1771:,  was  but 
seventeen  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty-four  pounds; 
that  of  all  the  towns,  three  hundred  and  fifty-seven  barrels. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


301 


The  idea,  at  this  day,  of  commencing  a war  with  such  an 
inconsiderable  amount  of  an  article  as  essential  as  gunpowder, 
would  be  thought  worse  than  absurd.  Nor  was  there  any 
means  at  hand  to  supply  more.  There  was  not  a powder- 
mill  in  the  Province ; nor  had  they  saltpetre  in  quantity  to 
manufacture  powder,  if  there  had  been.  While  upon  this 
subject,  I may  anticipate  by  saying,  that  on  the  13th  Feb- 
ruary, 1776,  the  Legislature  offered  a bounty  of  X50  to  the 
person  who  should  erect  the  first  powder-mill  in  the  Pro- 
vince, capable  of  manufacturing  fifty  pounds  per  day ; and 
should  actually  manufacture  a thousand  pounds,  if  erected 
within  six  months  from  that  time.*  They  had,  a few  days 
before,  offered  a premium  of  ninepence  per  pound  for  manu- 
facturing saltpetre,  from  mines  or  ores,  in  this  Colony ; and 
it  was  amongst  the  saddest  circumstances  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  that  the  field  was  finally  lost  more  from  the 
want  of  ammunition  Jhan  from  the  superiority  in  numbers, 
or  prowess  of  arms,  in  the  enemy. 

To  return  to  our  narrative.  On  the  15th  June,  Congress 
recommended  that  the  several  towns  should  deposit,  for  the 
use  of  the  Province,  such  fire-arms  as,  it  was  estimated,  they 
could  spare  ; which  amounted  in  all  to  a thousand  and  sixty- 
five,  f Of  these,  Worcester  County  was  to  supply  five  hun- 
dred and  fourteen ; and  the  proportion  of  Leicester  was 
twelve;  Spencer,  ten;  and  Paxton,  six. 

As  we  approach  the  events  of  the  17th  June,  it  seems 
proper  to  speak  of  these  by  themselves.  The  reader  may 
find,  in  the  full  and  accurate  History  of  the  Siege  of  Bos- 
ton” by  Mr.  Frothingham,  an  interesting  account  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  army,  and  the  disposition  of  the  forces,  while 
carrying  on  the  siege  which  had  been  commenced  almost 


* This  was  to  be  exclusive  of  the  mill  at  Stoughton  and  one  at  Andover,  which 
were  then  in  process  of  erection  by  order  of  the  Province. 

t The  whole  number  of  fire-arms  in  the  Province  in  1774,  including  Maine,  was 
twenty-one  thousand  five  hundred  and  forty-nine. 


302 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


immediately  after  the  affair  at  Lexington.  I shall  speak  of 
these  only  so  far  as  persons  from  Leicester  were  connected 
with  those  events.  There  has  been  a great  deal  said  and 
written  and  felt  upon  the  question,  “ Who  commanded  at 
Bunker  Hill  ? ’’  If  by  it  is  meant,  Who  directed  the  ope- 
rations upon  the  hill  on  the  night  of  the  16th?  and  whose 
orders,  from  his  position  during  the  battle  and  from  being 
known  and  recognized  as  the  leader  of  the  enterprise,  were 
obeyed,  so  far  as  they  could  be  communicated  ? ’’  Prescott 
must  undoubtedly  be  considered  as  the  commander  on  that 
occasion.  But  if  the  inquiry  embraces,  Who  planned  the 
enterprise?  who  detailed  and  directed  particular  troops  to 
take  particular  posts  and  perform  particular  duties  while  upon 
the  field  ? ’’  it  would  be  a much  more  difficult  question  to 
answer."^ 

The  truth  seems  to  be,  that,  whatever  was  the  original 
plan  as  a whole,  in  many  of  its  part^  there  were  material 
departures  from  that,  by  design  or  by  accident ; and,  when  it 
was  apparent  that  the  enemy  would  attack  them,  most  of  the 
principal  officers  — among  whom  no  one  was  more  active  or 
prominent  than  Putnam  — entered  into  the  fight  with  little 
order  or  system,  but  with  a spirit  and  zeal  which  supplied 
the  necessity  of  special  directions  from  any  superior  officer. 
Each  corps,  as  it  came  into  the  field,  took  up  its  position,  and 
maintained  it  till  the  general  retreat. 

In  May,  Col.  William  Henshaw,  Col.  Gridley,  and  Mr. 
Richard  Devens,  examined  the  heights  of  land  in  Charles- 
town and  Cambridge,  with  a view  to  their  occupation.  This 
was  done  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Ward.  On  the  12th  of  May, 
a report  was  made  to  the  Committee  of  Safety,  who  seem  to 


* The  judgment  of  the  court-martial  who  tried  Major  Scarborough  Gridley,  of  tlie 
artillery,  for  defect  of  duty  on  the  17th  June,  found  him  guilty,  and  dismissed  him  from 
the  service;  “but  on  account  of  his  inexperience  and  youth,  and  the  great  confusion 
which  attended  that  day's  transactions  in  general,"  they  did  not  hold  him  disqualified  to 
hold  office  again. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


303 


have  had,  in  connection  with  the  Council  of  War,  the  general 
direction  as  to  the  operations  of  the  army.  It  was  signed  by 
Dr.  Church,  Chairman  of  the  Subcommittee  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  and  William  Henshaw,  Chairman  of  the  Sub- 
committee from  the  Council  of  War ; and  related  to  erecting 
military  works  upon  Prospect,  Winter,  and  Bunker  Hills,  and 
intermediate  points.  But  it  is  not  necessary  to  transcribe  it 
here,  as  the  position  occupied  by  the  intrenchments  on  the 
16th  June  was  nearer  to  the  point  where  the  enemy  landed 
than  Bunker  Hill  Proper  would  have  been. 

Gen.  Ward,  as  commander-in-chief,  was  stationed  at  Cam- 
bridge, and  gave  directions  what  regiments  should  march  to 
Charlestown  on  the  occasion  of  occupying  the  hill,  and,  the 
next  day,  to  help  to  maintain  it.  A part,  at  least,  of  his  own 
regiment,  under  Lieut.-Col.  Ward,  was  stationed  at  what  was 
called  Fort  No.  2,  which  is  said  to  have  been  upon  what  is 
now  known  as  Dana  Hill.  It  was  here  that  Capt.  Washburn’s 
company  were  stationed.  Though  the  enemy  landed  about 
one  o’clock,  it  was  past  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  accord- 
ing to  the  account  given  by  Mr.  Frothingham,  before  the 
battle  actually  commenced.  He  speaks  of  a part  of  Lieut.- 
Col.  Ward’s  regiment  arriving  at  a critical  time  of  the  battle, 
and  of  the  part  taken  by  Capt.  Washburn’s  company,  with 
other  companies  mentioned,  in  maintaining  the  position  of  the 
American  troops  at  the  rail-fence,  and  gallantly  covering 
the  retreat.” 

The  British  finally  took  possession  of  the  hill  about  five 
o’clock,  so  that  the  heat  of  the  action  must  have  lasted  about 
two  hours. 

With  this  preliminary  statement,  drawn  from  other  sources, 
I propose  to  give  a detailed  account,  as  near  as  I have  been 
able  to  gather  it  from  those  who  took  part  in  them,  of  the 
movements  of  the  Leicester  men  on  that  day.  I am  chiefly 
indebted  for  my  facts  to  Mr.  Nathan  Craige,  a member  of  tlie 
company,  given  many  years  since,  when  a clear  and  unim- 


304 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


paired  memory  and  a character  for  honesty  and  integrity 
which  was  never  impeached,  gave  to  his  statement  the  force 
of  truth.  Nor  will  it  be  found  to  conflict  with  any  well- 
authenticated  account  of  the  details  of  the  battle. 

It  seems  that,  between  one  and  two  o’clock,  a re-enforce- 
ment had  arrived  from  Boston  to  join  the  troops  which  had 
previously  landed  at  Moulton’s  Point.  This,  according  to  a 
statement  in  Ward’s  History  of  Shrewsbury,”  — the  connec- 
tion of  whose  author  with  Gen.  Ward  gave  him  an  oppor- 
tunity to  understand  something  of  the  motives  of  his  move- 
ments, — so  far  satisfled  the  general  that  the  enemy  would  not 
attempt  to  land,  and  attack  his  position  in  Cambridge,  that  he 
ordered  Lieut.-Col.  Ward  to  march  his  regiment  with  the 
utmost  despatch  by  the  way  of  Lechmere  Point  to  Charles- 
town, keeping  a strict  look-out  towards  Boston  in  its  march. 
The  regiment,  according  to  Mr.  Craige’s  recollection,  were 
paraded  under  arms,  ready  for  marching,  soon  after  noon. 
On  reaching  Lechmere  Point,  they  halted  for  near  an  hour. 
The  reason  for  this  delay  he  never  understood.  While  here, 
they  heard  the  cracking  of  the  musketry  over  in  Charles- 
town,” as  well  as  the  roar  of  the  cannon.  They  were  then 
ordered  to  march  for  Charlestown  Neck,  in  order  to  reach  the 
scene  of  the  battle,  which  had  already  begun.  Before  they 
arrived  at  the  Neck,  they  were  met  by  a man  on  horseback 
(said  to  be  Dr.  Church),  who  told  the  commander  to  halt  his 
men  ; that  orders  had  been  sent,  that  no  more  troops  should 
go  into  the  action.*  Major  Barnes,  who  was  then  in  com- 
mand, gave  the  order  to  halt.  Whereupon  Capt.  Washburn, 
stepping  out  of  the  column,  addressing  his  men,  exclaimed  in 
a loud  voice,  Those  are  Tory  orders : I shan’t  obey  them. 
Who  will  follow  me  ? ” Every  man  of  his  company  at  once 
left  the  column,  and  passed  on  towards  the  hill.  Capt.  Wood 


* The  same  circumstance,  though  in  a little  different  language,  was  repeated  by  a 
member  of  another  company  in  the  regiment,  as  stated- by  Mr.  Ward  in  his  History, 
p.  55. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


305 


of  Northborough,  with  his  company,  and,  as  appears  by  Mr. 
Frothingham’s  narrative,  Capt.  Cushing  also,  left  the  regi- 
ment, and  came  into  the  action  about  the  same  time  that 
Capt.  Washburn  did. 

When  the  company  reached  the  Neck,  the  shot  from  the 
British  frigate  were  sweeping  across  it ; and  the  captain, 
halting  his  men,  addressed  a few  words  to  them ; told  them 
that  they  saw  the  danger  before  them ; that  if  any  of  them 
wished  to  avoid  it,  or  was  afraid  to  go  forward,  they  might 
then  go  back.  No  one  left  the  ranks ; and,  after  a moment’s 
pause,  the  captain  said  cheerfully,  Then  we’ll  all  go  to- 
gether.” The  whole  company  started  upon  a full  run 
across  the  Neck,  to  avoid  the  balls  from  the  frigate  as  well 
as  they  could.  As  they  ascended  the  hill,  they  saw  the 
houses  in  Charlestown  on  fire,  and  met  numbers  bringing 
off  the  wounded  from  the  field.  Near  the  summit  of  the  hill 
they  saw  an  American  "Officer  swinging  his  sword,  and  beckon- 
ing them  to  come  in  that  direction  ; which  they  obeyed.  The 
men,  at  this  time,  had  about  fifteen  rounds  of  cartridges  each. 
As  they  came  in  sight  of  the  British  troops,  and  were  moving 
steadily  on  towards  the  breastwork  below  the  redoubt,  a ball 
struck  the  cartouch-box  of  the  captain,  — for  he  was,  like  his 
men,  armed  with  a musket ; and  he,  supposing  the  shot  had 
come  from  one  of  his  own  men,  coolly  turned  round,  and  said, 
he  believed  one  of  them  had  hit  him,  and  cautioned  them  to 
be  careful,  and  not  shoot  our  own  men.  After  the  battle, 
however,  he  found  the  ball  lodged  in  his  cartouch-box ; and 
its  direction  showed  that  it  was  received  from  the  enemy. 

The  company  rushed  forward  as  soon  as  they  had  sur- 
mounted the  liill,  and  took  their  station  at  the  rail-fence,  and 
began  firing  as  fast  as  they  could.  The  enemy,  by  this  time, 
had  mounted  the  redoubt;  and,  in  about  twenty  or  thirty 
minutes  after  the  company  had  entered  the  action,  the  order 
was  given  to  retreat.  This  they  did,  at  first,  slowly  and  in 
regular  order;  keeping  together,  and  doing  what  they  could 

39 


306 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


to  cover  the  retreat : but  when  they  saw  that  the  enemy 
were  gaining  upon  them,  and  threatening  to  cut  them  off  on 
the  flank,  the  company  broke,  and  hurried  down  the  hill. 

But,  in  this  retreat,  they  showed  nothing  like  panic.  Ser- 
geant Brown  received  a shot  in  his  thigh,  and  another  in  his 
foot,  which  disabled  him  from  walking.  The  captain,  who 
was  the  last  to  leave  the  ground,  finding  him  in  this  condi- 
tion, and  being  an  athletic  though  not  a large  man,  took  the 
wounded  man  under  one  arm,  and  his  musket  (with  his  own) 
in  the  other,  and  carried  him  till  he  was  out  of  immediate 
danger.  He  there  left  him,  and  hurried  on  till  he  overtook 
Brown’s  brother  Perley  and  Jonathan  Sargent  (another  of  the 
company),  and  sent  them  back  for  the  wounded  man ; whom 
they  brought  off  in  safety.*  Daniel  Hubbard  wore  a cue, 
braided  in  two  strands,  which  hung  down  his  back.  As  he 
passed  by,  Mr.  Craige  saw  him  dodge  his  head ; and  it  was 
afterwards  found  that  a musket-ball  had  cut  off  one  of  these 
strands  so  close  to  his  head  as  to  graze  the  skin.  Kerley 
Ward  of  Oakham,  one  of  the  corporals  of  the  company,  was 
wounded  in  the  arm;  and  Sergeant  Crossman,  in  the  leg. 
Abner  Livermore  had  the  cord  of  his  canteen  cut  off  by  a 
musket-ball  while  retreating ; and,  as  it  fell,  it  rolled  a con- 
siderable distance  towards  the  enemy,  who  were  flring  and 
pressing  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  company.  His  brother 
Isaac,  seeing  the  disaster,  and  knowing  what  the  canteen 
contained,  stopped,  with  the  exclamation,  It  will  never  do  to 
lose  that  rum ! ” and,  running  after  the  canteen,  picked  it  up, 
and  brought  it  off  the  fleld,  in  the  face  of  the  fire  from  the 
British.  Samuel  Sargent,  another  of  the  company,  was  less 
fortunate  in  saving  his  liquor.  While  stopping  to  prime  his 
gun,  a musket-ball  struck  his  canteen,  and,  passing  through 
one  end  of  it,  lodged  in  the  other,  which  rested  upon  his  hip. 


* The  General  Court,  in  April,  1777,  gi-anted  Brown  a pension  of  twenty  shillings 
a month  on  account  of  his  wounds. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


307 


He  lost  the  contents,  but  saved  the  ball ; and  it  was,  for  many 
years,  preserved  in  the  family  as  a trophy.  The  captain  wore 
a wig,  and  had  on,  that  day,  a camlet  frock-coat.  He  found, 
after  the  battle,  that,  besides  the  one  through  his  cartouch- 
box,  four  balls  had  passed  through  his  coat,  and  one  through 
his  wig ; though  he  was  himself  wholly  unharmed.  The  ball 
that  lodged  in  his  cartouch-box  he  brought  home  after  his 
tour  of  duty  was  over. 

It  is  by  personal  anecdotes  that  the  true  character  of  a 
battle  may  be  understood,  much  more  than  by  the  statistics 
of  killed  and  wounded.  The  published  accounts  of  the  day 
tell  us  of  the  dreadful  sufferings  of  the  gallant  Major  Moore 
of  Paxton  (who  fell  mortally  wounded  in  the  early  part  of 
the  action)  from  an  agony  of  thirst,  without  a drop  of  water 
to  relieve  it,  as  he  lay  bleeding  and  dying  beneath  the  hot 
sun  of  that  bright  June  afternoon.  An  incident  occurred  in 
the  retreat  of  the  Lei<5fester  men,  illustrative  of  what  occurred 
in  the  battle.  As  Mr.  Craige  was  passing  a house  near  the 
Neck,  which  the  fire  had  not  reached,  the  lieutenant  called 
to  him  that  there  was  a soldier  lying  in  the  house,  wounded 
and  bloody,  and  unable  to  speak;  and  added,  “Vie  must  take 
him  with  us,  or  he  will  be  burnt  up ! ” Four  of  the  men, 
accordingly,  placing  him  in  a blanket,  carried  him  nearly  half 
a mile  ; when,  overtaking  some  Connecticut  troops,  they  found 
he  was  the  sergeant  of  their  company,  and  they  took  charge 
of  him. 

Instead  of  returning  with  his  company  to  Cambridge  after 
the  battle,  Capt.  Washburn,  with  three  other  captains  and 
eighteen  men,  undertook  a voluntary  patrol,  during  the  even- 
ing and  night,  between  Cambridge  and  the  Neck,  in  order  to 
protect  the  property  in  the  houses  which  had  been  abandoned, 
and  save  it  from  being  burned.  Three  of  these  houses  were, 
in  fact,  set  on  fire  the  next  morning,  and  destroyed. 

Besides  those  in  Capt.  Washburn’s  company,  there  were 
others,  who  previously  had  been,  or  afterwards  were,  citizens 


308 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


of  Leicester,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  the  17th  June. 
Among  them  was  John  Holden  of  Col.  Doolittle’s  regiment, 
which  went  into  the  action  under  the  command  of  Major 
Moore.  He  was  afterwards  a lieutenant,  and,  before  the  close 
of  the  war,  was  promoted  to  a captaincy,  in  the  Continental 
service.  Ebenezer  Washburn,  a brother  of  Capt.  Washburn, 
who  had  removed  to  Hardwick,  was  quartermaster  in  Col. 
Brewer’s  regiment ; and  Seth,  the  oldest  son  of  the  captain, 
who  had  removed  to  Wilbraham,  and  Caleb  Barton,  then  of 
Oxford,  were  also  in  the  battle.* 

There  was  one  other,  whom  I have  noticed  elsewhere,  who 
was  in  that  fight,  — Peter  Salem,  a black  man,  belonging  to 
Col.  John  Nixon’s  regiment.  All  the  accounts  of  the  battle 
speak  of  the  gallant  conduct  of  Major  Pitcairn,  of  the  British 
marines,  on  that  occasion.  He  was  shot  down  as  he  mounted 
the  redoubt,  crying  out  exultingly,  The  day  is  ours  ! ” and 
fell  into  the  arms  of  his  son,  who  tenderly  bore  him  olf  the 
field  to  a boat,  and  thence  to  a house  in  Prince  Street,  Boston, 
where  he  died.  That  shot  was,  undoubtedly,  fired  by  Peter ; 
and  the  death  of  Major  Pitcairn,  with  its  accompanying  cir- 
cnmstances,  formed  one  of  the  most  touching  incidents  of 
that  eventful  day. 

It  may  seem  to  some  that  I am  devoting  too  much  space  to 
the  incidents  of  a single  battle ; but  my  object  has  been,  not 
merely  to  do  justice  to  the  physical  courage  and  endurance 
of  those  of  whom  I am  speaking,  as  soldiers,  but  to  their 
higher  qualities  as  men  and  as  citizens.  Many  of  the  com- 
pany were  young  men,  some  not  seventeen  years  of  age ; and 
quite  a number  between  that  age  and  twenty-one.  The  com- 
mander was  at  the  mature  age  of  fifty-two  ; a serious,  reli- 


* I would  notice  another  fact  indirectly  connected  with  the  historj"  of  the  town, 
and  illustrating  the  histor}’-  of  the  times.  Israel  Green,  whose  sister  married  Hezekiah 
Ward,  was  a native  of  Leicester.  He  married,  and  had  three  children  born  in  Leices- 
ter. Before  the  war,  he  removed  to  Hubbardston.  He  had  three  sons  in  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill.  One  was  killed;  and  one  received  a wound,  of  which  he  died.  The 
third  subsequently  fell  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


309 


gious  man,  known  personally  to  all  his  men,  to  whom  he 
stood  in  a relation  more  parental  than  authoritative : and 
their  conduct  in  camp  as  well  as  in  action  showed  that  the 
confidence  of  the  parents  of  these  young  men  in  their  com- 
mander, in  allowing  them  to  enlist  at  so  early  an  age,  was  not 
misplaced. 

All  the  forenoon  of  the  17th,  the  troops  in  and  around  Cam- 
bridge were  in  a state  of  intense  excitement.  The  incessant 
boom  of  the  cannon  from  Copp’s  Hill  and  the  British  frigates 
in  the  stream,  the  mustering  of  the  various  companies  and 
regiments,  the  occasional  roll  of  drums,  the  hurried  move- 
ments of  adjutants  on  horseback,  the  still  more  stirring  sound 
of  the  alarm-bells  in  Cambridge,  and  the  beat  to  arms  and 
hurried  march  of  troops  towards  Charlestown  as  soon  as  it 
was  known  that  the  British  had  landed,  presented  altogether  a 
scene  calculated  to  agitate  and  alarm  any  one,  unaccustomed 
to  war,  who  was  momentarily  expecting  orders  to  move  for- 
ward to  take  part  in  the  action,  which  it  was  now  known 
must  take  place. 

It  was  amidst  surrounding  circumstances  like  these,  that 
Capt.  Washburn,  a few  moments  before  orders  came  for  his 
regiment  to  form,  called  his  men  together,  and  spoke  to  them 
of  the  action  in  which  they  were  about  to  engage,  and  what 
would  be  expected  of  them ; and  closed  by  offering  up  a fer- 
vent prayer  for  their  safety  and  protection,  and  the  success 
of  the  cause  in  which  they  were  enlisted.  Every  thing  was 
done  coolly  and  calmly ; and  some  of  them  often  spoke,  in 
tlieir  old  age,  of  the  unfaltering  confidence  with  which,  after 
this,  they  went  through  the  experiences  of  the  day. 

Several  of  these  soldiers  were  personally  known  to  many 
of  the  present  generation  as  among  the  substantial  and  re- 
spectable citizens  of  the  town.  Six  of  them  were  alive  in 
182G,*  fifty-one  years  after  the  battle  ; and  Natlian  Craige, 

* Daniel  Tliibbanl,  Nathan  Craige,  Thomas  Sprague,  Isaac  Livermore,  Matthew 
Jacksou,  and  Elias  Grren. 


310 


HISTORY  or  LEICESTER. 


the  last  survivor,  died  April  2,  1852,  wanting  but  seventeen 
days  of  seventy-seven  years  from  the  time  he  marched  at  the 
Lexington  alarm.* 

In  resuming  the  narrative  of  what  may  be  more  properly 
considered  the  general  history  of  the  town,  I may  still  be 
obliged  to  refer  with  some  minuteness  to  subsequent  events 
of  the  Revolution.  To  do  justice  to  the  part  which  the  town 
took  in  furnishing  men  and  material  for  the  war  would  re- 
quire a much  greater  accuracy  of  detail  than,  unfortunately, 
can  now  be  obtained.  So  far  as  I have  been  able  to  ascertain 
the  names  of  these  men,  I have  given  them  elsewhere  ; though 
I am  well  aware  that  the  list  is  far  from  complete.  I must 
content  myself  with  referring  to  these. 

After  his  service  at  Roxbury  and  Dorchester,  which  ex- 
pired in  the  spring  of  1776,  Capt.  Washburn  withdrew  from 
the  army,  but  continued  in  various  posts  of  duty  in  public 
life,  through  the  war.  I refer  to  his  name  in  this  connection, 
to  explain  one  or  two  things  which  might  not  be  readily 
understood  otherwise.  Leicester  seems  to  have  been  made  a 
place  of  deposit  of  more  or  less  of  the  public  stores ; which  I 
cannot  readily  account  for,  unless  it  was  that  the  well-known 
unanimity  of  sentiment  of  the  town,  as  well  as  the  prominent 
part  which  some  of  its  citizens  had  taken,  indicated  it  as  a 
safe  and  secure  place. 

Thus,  as  early  as  Feb.  21,  1775,  the  Committee  of  Safety 
and  Supplies  of  the  Provincial  Congress  voted  unanimously. 


* One  is  surprised,  now  that  the  consequences  of  the  stand  made  by  the  colonists 
at  Bunker  Hill  have  become  a matter  of  familiar  history,  to  see  how  little  its  true 
importance  was  appreciated  at  the  time.  I have  before  me  the  orderly-book  of  Col. 
Henshaw,  containing  the  orders  of  Gen.  Ward  at  that  time.  No  order  is  promulgated 
on  the  17th  June,  except  the  usual  parol  and  countersign,  and  an  order  to  Gen.  Thomas 
to  send  two  cannon  to  Cambridge.  On  the  18th,  there  is  no  special  order;  and  the  21st 
is  the  first  time  the  battle  is  alluded  to,  requiring  the  officers  to  make  returns  of  num- 
bers fit  for  duty,  “ absent  on  furlough,  deserted,  sick,  killed,  and  wounded,  in  the  late 
engagement^  and  missing  upon  account  thereof.”  On  the  24th  is  an  order  tendering 
the  thanks  of  the  general  to  the  officers,  soldiers,  &c.,  “ who  behaved  so  gallantly  at  the 
late  action  in  Charlestown.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


311 


that  the  powder  which  was  then  at  Concord  should  be  removed 
to  Leicester ; and,  on  the  24th,  voted  that  eight  field-pieces, 
with  the  shot  and  cartridges,  and  two  brass  mortars,  with 
their  bombs,  be  deposited  at  Leicester  with  Col.  Henshaw.* 

On  the  14th  April,  they  voted  that  the  cannon-powder  at 
Leicester  should  be  removed  to  Concord,  one  load  at  a time, 
and  made  into  cartridges.  On  the  17th,  this  vote'  was  re- 
considered, and  all  the  ammunition  was  voted  to  be  deposited 
in  nine  difierent  towns,  of  which  Leicester  was  one.  The 
eleven  hundred  tents  ” were  voted  to  be  deposited  in  equal 
quantities  in  seven  different  towns,  of  which  Leicester  was 
one. 

In  May,  1776,  the  House  chose  deputy-commissioners  for 
the  several  brigades  into  which  the  militia  had  been  divided ; 
and  Joseph  Allen,  Esq.,  then  of  Leicester,  was  elected  for 
the  Worcester  Brigade.  How  early  the  office  of  muster- 
master  was  created,  I_am  unable  to  fix;  but  on  the  28th 


* To  show  with  what  caution  this  was  done,  I insert  a copy  of  a letter  from  Joseph 
to  Col.  William  Henshaw:  — 

Concord,  25th  March,  1775. 

Dear  Billy,  — The  bearer  hereof  will  bring  six  or  seven  hogsheads:  two  of  which, 
would  have  you  put  in  your  barn,  in  some  dry  place  where  no  wet  or  damp  will  come 
at  the  same;  two  others,  would  have  you  order  to  Major  Denny’s,  to  be  deposited  with 
the  same  care  in  his  custody;  two  others,  would  have  you  order  to  Capt.  Samuel  Green’s, 
to  be  with  him  stored  with  the  same  care;  and  the  remaining  one  be  sent  to  Thomas 
Newhall’s,  to  be  by  him  taken  the  same  care  of. 

You  will  conduct  this  matter  with  the  greatest  secrecy,  and  in  a way  the  least 
liable  to  suspicion.  You  will  take  care  that  no  candle  goes  near  the  cask,  and  enjoin 
the  same  on  those  to  whom  the  others  are  sent.  Be  careful  also  to  enjoin  the  strictest 
secrecy  on  them  respectively. 

When  I return  home,  shall  take  further  order  concerning  the  same;  and  am  your 
affectionate  brother, 

Jos.  Henshaw. 

Would  have  you,  after  you  have  lodged  your  two  hogsheads,  proceed  with  the 
other  team  to  the  westward;  and,  when  you  get  to  Mr.  Allen’s  shop,  press  him  to  pro- 
ceed with  one  team  down  the  South  Road  to  Capt.  Green’s.  After  giving  Mr.  Allen 
the  necessary  directions,  than  proceed  to  Major  Denny’s,  by  the  way  of  Tliomas  New- 
hall’s,  if  that  road  will  do  to  go  with  the  teams.  As  soon  as  the  team  destined  to 
Newlmll’s  is  discharged  of  the  one  hogshead,  proceed  to  Denny’s,  and  unload  the  last 
team.  'I'he  teamsters  had  better  agree  to  meet  together  at  Noah  Jones’s,  after  dischar- 
ging their  contents,  in  order  to  return  together. 


312 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


December,  1776,  Capt.  Thomas  Newhall  of  Leicester  was 
appointed,  by  the  General  Court,  muster-master  for  the  coun- 
ty of  Worcester.  It  seems  to  have  been  an  important  and 
responsible  office.  He  judged  of  the  fitness  of  the  men  who 
were  enlisted  or  draughted  for  service ; took  care  that  they 
should  be  forwarded  into  service  ; in  case  of  desertion,  took 
measures  to  arrest  the  offender';  and  when,  as  at  last  grew  to 
be  not  an  unfrequent  case,  any  controversy  arose  between 
different  towns  as  to  which  might  claim  a soldier  as  having 
been  furnished  by  such  town,  the  muster-master  determined 
the  question.  How  long  Capt.  Newhall  held  the  office,  I 
cannot  tell:  but  I find  Capt.  Washburn  commissioned  and 
acting  as  such  in  February,  1778;  and  believe  he  held  the 
office  till  the  close  of  the  war.* 

In  February,  1777,  the  General  Court  seems  to  have  adopted 
the  course  of  having  stores  of  boots,  shoes,  blankets,  <fcc.,  col- 
lected for  the  use  of  the  army,  and  deposited  in  the  several 
counties,  under  the  charge  of  military  storekeepers,  to  be 
held  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  Board  of  War.  By  a resolve 
of  the  date  of  Feb.  7,  1777,  the  several  towns  were  required 
to  furnish  as  many  pairs  of  boots  and  stockings  and  shirts  as 
were  equal  to  one-seventh  of  the  males  in  the  town  of  sixteen 
years  of  age  or  upwards.  Seth  Washburn  was  chosen  such 
storekeeper  for  the  county  of  Worcester,  and  was  furnished 
with  X300  for  the  purpose. 

In  April,  1778,  the  General  Court  elected  superintendents 
of  counties,  to  receive  and  send  forward  the  men  whom  they 
at  that  time  resolved  to  raise  in  order  to  fill  the  fifteen  bat- 
talions of  the  Continental  troops  which  Massachusetts  was 
to  supply;  and  in  June  of  the  next  year,  and  November  of 


* 1 copy  the  form  of  one  of  his  certificates  in  that  office;  viz.:  “ Leicester,  July  24, 
1780.  This  may  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  on  the  23d  day  of  February, 
1778,  Cain  Bowman,  a negro  man,  appeared,  and  passed  muster:  presented  as  a free 
man,  as  it  was  contrary  to  my  orders  to  muster  any  slaves  Said  Bowman  was  mus- 
tered in  Col.  Marshall’s  regiment,  Capt.  King’s  company.  Ueceived  .£20  bounty.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


313 


1780,  similar  officers  were  appointed.  In  each  of  these  in- 
stances, Seth  Washburn  was  chosen  for  the  county  of  Worces- 
ter. These  votes  are  noticed  as  explanatory  of  some  of  the 
orders  which  appear  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Board  of  War. 
In  August,  1777,  I find  a memorandum  of  that  body,  that 
“ there  were  at  Seth  Washburn’s  store,  at  Leicester,  a hun- 
dred and  ninety-one  shirts,  a hundred  and  thirty-nine  pairs 
shoes,  six  hundred  and  sixteen  pairs  hose.  See  his  return 
for  the  5th  inst.” 

On  the  30th  September  of  the  same  year,  an  order  is  made, 
“ that  Seth  Washburn  deliver  Deacon  Davis,  or  order,  four 
hundred  and  seventy-two  pairs  shoes  he  has  collected  for 
the  use  of  the  State;”  and  again,  on  Feb.  5,  1778,  it  was 
^‘ordered  that  Capt.  Seth  Washburn,  of  Leicester,  deliver 
Messrs.  Otis  and  Andrews  five  hundred  and  ninety-two  pairs 
stockings.” 

If  we  attempt  to  estimate  the  share  which  Leicester  bore 
in  the  sacrifices  and  expenses  occasioned  by  the  war,  it  must, 
at  best,  be  but  an  approximation.  To  a considerable  extent, 
we  can  trace  the  number  of  specific  articles  paid  into  the 
public  store  ; but  this  does  not  include  the  clothing  and  provi- 
sions furnished  by  the  towns  to  the  soldiers  directly,  and  to 
their  families  in  their  absence.  And,  when  we  come  to  the 
matter  of  levies  and  contributions  of  money,  we  lack  for  a 
safe  and  proper  measure  of  value,  in  consequence  of  the 
rapid  depreciation  of  Continental  money  down  to  total  worth- 
lessness. It  will  be  my  object  to  refer  to  the  several  votes 
upon  the  subject,  and  then  to  endeavor  to  furnish  as  near  a 
standard  of  admeasurement  of  value  as  I can  command,  by 
which  to  estimate  the  surprising  amount  of  taxation  which 
the  town,  somehow,  sustained  while -the  war  was  in  pro- 
gress. 

Among  the  votes  which  I have  noticed  upon  the  journal  of 
the  General  Court,  bearing  upon  this  subject,  are  the  follow- 
ing:— 


40 


314 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Jan.  5,  1776.  — To  collect  four  thousand  blankets,  to  be 
contributed  by  the  towns ; the  share  of  Leicester  being  four- 
teen. 

Jan.  19,  1776.  — To  raise  four  thousand  three  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  men  for  the  army,  to  maintain  the  fortifications  at 
Cambridge  and  Roxbury,  to  serve  till  April  1 : Leicester  was 
assigned  thirteen,  and  actually  furnished  sixteen,  besides  the 
commander  of  the  company. 

June  25, 1776.  — To  raise  five  thousand  troops  to  co-operate 
with  the  Continental  army  in  Canada  and  New  York;  two 
battalions  from  certain  towns  in  Worcester  to  go  to  New 
York:  twenty-five  assigned  to  Leicester. 

July  10,  1776.  — To  raise  every  twenty-fifth  man  to  re- 
enforce the  Northern  Army. 

Sept.  10. — ’To  raise  one-fifth  of  the  entire  militia  notin 
actual  service,  to  march  to  Horse  Neck  ” to  re-enforce  the 
army  in  New  York. 

Jan.  20,  1777. — To  procure  five  thousand  blankets,  to  be 
furnished  by  the  towns : Leicester,  fourteen. 

Jan.  6,  1777.  — To  raise  every  seventh  man  above  the  age 
of  sixteen,  to  complete  the  quota  of  the  Continental  Army. 

Aug.  9.  — To  draught  every  sixth  man  in  Suffolk,  Essex, 
Middlesex,  York,  Worcester,  and  Berkshire,  to  join  the  army, 
in  consequence  of  the  taking  of  Ticonderoga;  to  serve  till  the 
last  of  November,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

April  20,  1778.  — To  fill  up  the  fifteen  battalions  of  Con- 
tinental troops : Leicester  to  furnish  six. 

June  8,  1779.  — To  raise  two  thousand  men  on  the  Conti- 
nental establishment:  Leicester  to  furnish  six. 

June  21,  1779.  — That  the  towns  furnish  shirts,  shoes,  and 
stockings  for  the  army,  equal  in  number  to  one-sixth  of  the 
male  inhabitants : Leicester  to  supply  thirty  pairs  of  each. 
Seth  Washburn  to  receive  them  for  the  county. 

May  4,  1780. — -To  furnish  shoes  and  stockings  and  shirts 
equal  to  one-tenth  of  the  male  inhabitants,  and  half  as  many 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


315 


blankets : Leicester,  twenty-one  shirts,  &c.,  and  eleven  blan- 
kets. 

Sept.  25,  1780.  — To  supply  beef  for  the  army:  Leicester, 
four  thousand  five  hundred  and  sixty  pounds. 

Dec.  2,  1780.  — To  raise  four  thousand  two  hundred  and 
forty  men  to  supply  the  defect  in  the  State’s  quota  of  the 
Continental  force : Leicester,  eleven  men. 

Dec.  4.  — To  supply  the  army  with  provisions:  Leicester, 
eight  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-one  pounds  beef. 

Jan.  22,  1781.  — To  supply  the  army  with  provisions: 
Leicester,  three  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty-four  pounds 
of  beef ; sixteen  shirts,  pairs  stockings,  and  shoes ; and  eight 
blankets. 

June  30,  1781.  — To  raise  two  thousand  seven  hundred 
men,  for  three  months,  to  re-enforce  the  Continental  Army : 
Leicester,  nine  men. 

March  7,  1782.  — To  j*aise  fifteen  hundred  men  to  re-enforce 
the  army,  for  three  years : Leicester,  four. 

I have  given  the  foregoing  votes  partly  as  independent 
facts  of  interest,  and  partly  as  a proximate  mode  of  compari- 
son by  which  to  judge  of  the  relative  proportions  of  the 
public  burdens  borne  by  the  town.  It  is,  however,  by  no 
means  a reliable  one ; for  these  draughts  do  not  seem  to  have 
been  regulated  by  any  fixed  proportion.  In  one  case,  for 
instance,  where  Worcester  furnished  ten  men,  Leicester  did 
six.  In  another,  Worcester,  twenty-nine ; Leicester,  eleven. 
In  another,  Worcester,  twenty-three;  Leicester,  nine.  In 
another,  Worcester,  nine ; and  Leicester,  four.  When  we 
come  to  examine  the  votes  of  the  town,  we  are  able  to  form  a 
more  positive  judgment  in  the  matter. 

In  the  first  place,  I have  before  me  the  certified  returns  of 
twenty-seven  draughts  of  men  between  May,  1775,  and  June 
28,  1780;  amounting  to  two  hundred  and  twenty-seven  men 
in  all,  — more  than  twice  as  many  as  were  borne  on  the 
entire  muster-roll  of  the  train-band  in  the  town  as  fit  for 


316 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


active  duty;  together  with  the  sums  paid  by  the  town  for 
bounties  upon  their  enlistment.  It  does  not  include  the  com- 
panies which  marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  nor  the  draughts 
made  after  the  28th  of  June,  1780  ; of  which  there  were 
several,  either  paid  for  by  the  town,  or  by  the  classes  into 
which  its  inhabitants  were  divided.*  In  one  of  these  (July 
19,  1781)  the  town  paid  seven  men  twenty  pounds  each  in 
silver  money,  with  a right  to  receive  their  wages  for  the 
three  months  for  which  they  enlisted. 

I have  copied  into  the  Appendix  the  interesting  document 
to  which  I have  above  alluded,  as  a matter  of  curious  refer- 
ence ; and  would  venture  to  commend  it,  with  the  other  papers 
found  there,  as  worthy  the  attention  of  the  reader. 

So  numerous  and  heavy  were  the  draughts  for  men,  that 
the  traditions  may  easily  be  credited  which  have  come  down 
to  us,  that  the  labor  in  the  fields  was  in  many  cases  per- 
formed by  women,  because  every  male  member  of  the  family 
was  absent.  It  is  a matter  of  record  on  the  part  of  the 
town,  that,  in  1776,  they  had  to  choose  two  new  selectmen 
because  the  others  were  absent  in  the  army ; and  in  J anuary, 
1778,  they  were  obliged  to  choose  a new  assessor  for  the 
same  reason. 

In  1780,  if  not  earlier,  the  custom  began  of  dividing 
the  towns  into  classes,  each  of  which,  when  called  on,  was 
required  to  supply  a man,  by  enlistment,  from  their  number, 
or  by  hiring  a substitute ; which  partially  withheld  from  the 
town  as  immediate  action  upon  the  subject  as  they  had  before 
been  accustomed  to  take. 

In  respect  to  the  direct  appropriations  by  the  town  for  the 
purposes  of  the  war,  I find  that,  in  April,  1776,  the  town 
voted  to  procure  ammunition,  intrenching  tools,  Ac.,  agree- 
ably to  a requisition  from  the  General  Court ; and,  in  May, 
they  allowed  Samuel  Cole  seven  shillings  for  carting  pro- 


* The  town  voted  to  divide  the  inhabitants  into  ten  classes  in  1781. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


317 


visions  to  Watertown  the  previous  year.  But  the  cost  of 
either  of  these  is  not  stated. 

In  May,  1777,  the  town  abated  the  poll-tax  of  all  soldiers  in 
the  Continental  Army  belonging  to  town.  In  October  of  the 
same  year,  the  selectmen  were  directed  to  furnish  such  of 
these  soldiers  as  had  enlisted  for  three  years,  or  during  the 
war,  with  the  necessaries  of  life. 

In  January,  1778,  the  town  voted  to  raise  twelve  hundred 
pounds,  and  loan  it  to  the  State  Treasury,  on  interest. 

In  March,  they  directed  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
to  provide  for  the  families  of  the  soldiers  in  the  Continental 
Army ; and,  a few  weeks  after,  it  was  voted  to  provide 
clothing  for  Continental  soldiers,  by  purchasing  it  with 
money  to  be  drawn  out  of  the  town-treasury,  and  to  make 
such  provision  for  the  families  of  the  officers  from  the  town 
in  the  Continental  service  as  the  selectmen  should  think  fit. 

In  May,  1778,  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  pay,  out  of 
money  of  the  town  or  to  be  hired  for  the  town,  thirty  pounds 
for  each  Continental  soldier  raised  within  the  town,  by  the 
20th  of  the  month. 

In  March,  1779,  they  voted  three  hundred  dollars  for  each 
company,  to  be  distributed  to  such  of  the  company  as  had 
done  more  than  their  proportion  in  the  war ; and  a thousand 
pounds  for  hiring  men  for  the  war. 

In  June  of  the  same  year,  they  granted  four  thousand 
pounds  to  pay  the  hire  of  soldiers  and  contingent  charges. 

In  October,  1779,  they  raised  five  hundred  pounds  for  the 
same  purpose. 

In  March  following,  the  Committee  of  Safet}^  were  allowed 
£92.  10s.  8d.  for  taking  care  of  the  soldiers’  wives ; Capt. 
Leviston  was  allowed  £3.  15s.  “ for  a horse  to  go  to  the 
taking  of  Burgoyne ; ” * and  £5,000  was  raised  for  employing 


• Capt.  Leviston  commanded  one  of  the  standing:  companies  of  the  town.  How 
many  of  his  company  went  with  liim,  1 cannot  ascertain. 


318 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


soldiers.  The  town  had,  in  the  mean  time,  — between  Janu- 
ary, 1778,  and  March,  1780,  — furnished  Jethro  Jones  and  Asa 
Harrington  supplies,  equal,  as  near  as  I can  calculate  the 
depreciated  currency,  to  at  least  a hundred  and  twenty  dol- 
lars ; as  well  as  sundry  other  supplies,  the  amounts  of  which 
are  not  ascertained. 

In  July,  1780,  they  raised  £11,058.  5s.  7^d.  for  hiring 
soldiers,  and  the  same  amount  to  pay  “ the  six-months’  men 
who  are  gone  in  the  Continental  Army.”  It  was  voted,  more- 
over, to  give  to  each  soldier  a hundred  and  ten  bushels  of 
corn;  they  allowing  the  town  to  draw  their  wages. 

In  October,  they  raised  two  hundred  pounds  to  purchase 
beef  for  the  army.  This  was  new  money  ; ” * and  the  rate 
at  which  it  was  reckoned  shows  what  was  then  regarded  as 
the  depreciation  of  the  old,  — one  of  new  for  ninety  of  old. 

The  town,  at  the  same  time,  abated  £20.  8s.  tax  per  head, 
or  about  4s.  6d.  per  man,  to  all  the  three  and  six  months’  ” 
men.  The  next  month,  they  raised  six  thousand  pounds  to 
pay  soldiers. 

In  January,  1781,  they  again  abated  the  poll-taxes  of  the 
three  and  six  months’  men ; raised  a committee  to  go  into 
other  towns  to  hire  men  to  go  into  the  service ; and  voted 
two  hundred  and  twenty  pounds,  silver  money ^ to  buy  beef 
for  the  army.  The  town  was,  at  the  same  time,  divided  into 
classes  to  supply  the  draughts  for  soldiers. 

In  July,  they  raised  a hundred  and  twenty-seven  pounds, 
silver  money,  and  thirteen  thousand  pounds  of,  I suppose.  Con- 
tinental currency,  with  which  to  purchase  beef;  and  the 
committee  were  directed  to  provide  not  less  than  a thousand 


* The  “ new  money  ” was  an  emission  of  bills  by  Massachusetts,  guaranteed  by 
the  United  States,  in  May,  1780.  Thej"  were  payable  in  silver  in  six  years,  with  five 
per  cent  interest,  payable  annually.  It  was  never  equal  to  par,  and  never  seems  to 
have  depreciated  like  Continental  money.  In  February,  1781,  it  was  to  specie  as  one 
and  seven-eighths  to  one;  in  !May  following,  two  and  a quarter  to  one.  It  run  down 
to  four  to  one  in  June;  and  in  September,  1781,  the  issue  of  any  more  bills  was  stopped. 
— Felt's  Currency,  pp.  188  and  196. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


319 


pounds  of  beef,  to  send  to  the  army  the  present  month.  And, 
in  September,  they  raised  four  hundred  pounds,  money, 

to  meet  the  charges  of  the  town  for  beef,  pay  of  soldiers,  Ac. 
This  was  the  last  specific  vote  for  raising  money  on  account 
of  the  war,  which  I find  recorded ; and  the  reader  may  have 
thought  that  the  detail  which  I have  given  is  too  minute  for 
a work  like  this : but  it  seemed  to  me,  that  it  was  by  such 
details  only  that  the  people  of  this  day  could  judge  of  the 
magnitude  and  extent  of  the  cost  and  sacrifice  which  the 
actors  in  the  Revolutionary  War  were  willing  to  sustain  for 
the  boon  for  which  they  were  contending. 

It  was  by  no  means  the  men  alone  who  went  into  the  army 
that  sustained  hardships  and  endured  privations.  The  farmer 
toiled  without  ceasing  for  the  means  of  feeding  and  clothing 
the  soldier  and  his  family.  The  fruits  of  the  mechanic’s  days 
and  nights  of  labor  went  into  the  treasury  of  a common  cause. 
Woman,  too,  bore  her  full  share  in  these  incessant  labors; 
stinting  herself,  moreover,  of  the  very  necessaries  of  life,  to 
supply  the  wants  of  husbands  and  fathers  and  brothers  in  the 
camp  and  the  field. 

There  are,  indeed,  few  records  of  these  unostentatious 
sacrifices  ; and  one  reason  was,  they  were  too  common,  too 
universal,  to  be  thought  worthy  of  being  noticed.  They 
heeded  little  what  posterity  might  think  or  say ; the  present 
absorbed  their  chief  attention:  and  now,  when  we  look  for  a 
history  of  the  period,  we  are  left  to  personal  recollections  of 
individuals,  to  be  read  in  the  light  of  what  is  known  of  the 
general  condition  of  the  country  at  the  time. 

I have  spoken  of  the  part  which  the  women  took  in  tilling 
the  soil  and  gathering  the  crops.  Instances  were  frequent 
among  the  men  who  remained  at  home,  whose  stock  upon 
their  farms,  though  inadequate  to  their  necessities,  had  to  be 
surrendered  or  disposed  of  to  pay  their  war-tax.  Such  was 
the  case,  for  instance,  with  ^fr.  Nathan  Sargent,  one  of  the 
substantial  farmers  of  the  town.  I was  assured  by  his  son. 


320 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


that,  time  and  again,  he  sold,  from  his  stall  or  his  pasture, 
animals  that  he  greatly  needed,  in  order  to  meet  his  share  of 
the  common  burdens  of  the  war. 

Besides,  the  clothing  of  the  husbands  and  brothers  who 
were  in  the  army  for  short  terms  of  service  was  the  product 
of  household  manufacture,  spun  and  woven  and  made  up  by 
wives  and  sisters ; and,  when  the  requisitions  for  stockings 
and  shirts  and  blankets  for  the  army  were  to  be  supplied,  it 
was  the  busy  fingers  and  nervous  arms  of  the  women  that 
furnished  them.  The  State  had  neither  commerce  to  supply, 
nor  money  with  which  to  purchase,  these  homely  necessaries 
for  the  soldier. 

The  simple  truth  was,  every  nerve  and  sinew,  every  article 
of  personal  possession,  as  well  as  the  credit  both  public  or 
private  of  the  country,  were  devoted  to  one  absorbing 
object;  and  it  was  not  until  after  that  object  had  been  sub- 
stantially obtained,  that  men  began  to  look  coolly  around 
them,  and  measure  with  any  thing  like  accuracy  what  it  had 
cost  them. 

What  reflects  great  credit  upon  the  people  of  the  town  is, 
that  though  there  was  no  law  which  could  be  enforced 
against  them  if  they  suspended  their  schools,  as  some  other 
towns  had  done,  they  rejected  the  proposition  when  it  was 
made,  and,  in  fact,  new-districted  the  town  in  1776.  In  1778, 
they  voted  XI 08  for  schooling;  and,  in  the  next  year,  added 
X500  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Conklin’s  salary.  As  an  example  of 
the  frequency  of  the  public  calls  upon  the  town,  in  addition 
to  the  moneys  which  they  raised  for  other  purposes,  I have 
before  me  three  State  warrants  for  taxes  in  the  months  of 
June,  September,  and  November  of  1780,  which  were  sent  to 
a constable  of  the  town  to  enforce  against  its  inhabitants  in  a 
single  year. 

If  we  should  set  down  the  sum  of  eighteen  thousand  dol- 
lars as  approximating  the  actual  amount  paid  by  the  town  to 
carry  on  the  war,  it  would,  I am  persuaded,  fall  much  below 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


321 


the  truth.  Nor  should  it  be  overlooked,  that,  of  these  sums, 
there  were  voted  and  raised  over  fifteen  thousand  dollars 
between  January,  1777,  and  September,  1781,  — more  than 
three  thousand  three  hundred  dollars  a year,  — in  addition 
to  the  other  expenses  and  burdens  of  the  town  and  its  share 
of  the  State  charges.'^  When,  before  or  since,  has  there  been 
a period,  when,  for  so  long  a time,  such  burdens  as  these 
would  have  been  borne  without  a murmur  ? 

Of  the  importance  of  the  Committees  of  Safety  and  Cor- 
respondence as  a means  of  carrying  on  the  war,  I have 
spoken  elsewhere.  They  were  at  first  voluntary  bodies, 
depending  upon  moral  force  for  their  power ; but  as  early  as 
February,  1776,  they  were  recognized  by  the  Legislature  as 
an  existing  institution;  and  in  February,  1777,  towns  were  by 
law  authorized  to  elect  them  annually.  I give  in  another 
place  the  names  of  as  many  of  this  committee  in  Leicester  as 
I have  been  able  to  ascertain.  As  an  effective  police,  per- 
vading the  community  and  acting  as  the  executive  organ  of 
public  sentiment,  their  power  and  influence  in  preserving 
order  at  home,  while  they  were  promoting  the  operations  of 
the  army  in  the  field,  were  an  indispensable  agency  in  carry- 
ing on  the  war.  Nor  was  this  the  only  interposition  which 
served  to  suppress  every  manifestation  of  hostility  to  the 
government.  The  people  took  up  the  matter  in  their  pri- 
mary assemblies. 

In  June,  1777,  Col.  William  Henshaw  was  chosen  a com- 
mittee to  procure  what  evidence  was  to  be  found  of  the  inimi- 
cal disposition  of  any  inhabitant  of  the  town  towards  this  and 
the  United  States,  who  might  be  voted,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
town,  as  coming  under  this  class.  But  the  only  person  I can 
find  answering  this  description  in  the  town  was  Nathaniel 
Scott : and,  in  his  case,  the  town,  upon  further  investigation. 


* Tlie  State-tax  of  Leicester  is  set  down,  for  1781,  at  .^855.  If  this  is  reckoned  as 
new-eniission  money,  I suppose  it  would  amount  at  par  to  about  $1,500.  It  would 
vary  according  to  the  time  of  the  year  to  which  the  computation  should  relate. 

41 


322 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


were  satisfied  that  the  imputation  was  groundless ; and  his 
name  was  stricken  from  the  list  of  suspected  persons. 

A more  signal  instance  of  the  jealous  scrutiny  exercised 
by  the  public  over  the  conduct  and  opinions  of  individuals 
in  the  community  was  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Allen,  one  of 
the  truest,  most  consistent,  and  firmest  patriots  of  the  day. 

Dec.  19,  1775.  — Whereas  a report  has  been  propagated  that 
Mr.  J oseph  Allen  hath  violated  the  ninth  article  of  the  Consti- 
tutional Association,  in  taking  undue  advantage  of  the  scarcity 
of  goods,  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for  said  town,  having 
examined  into  the  grounds  and  motive  of  said  report,  are  of 
opinion  that  they  are  cruel,  false,  and  malicious.  By  order 
of  the  committee  : Joseph  Henshaw,  chairman.^’ 

In  other  places,  where  there  was  occasion  to  apply  this 
inquisitorial  power,  the  obnoxious  person  was  sometimes 
merely  denounced  as  a suspicious  person ; in  others,  he  was 
required  to  confine  himself  to  his  own  farm ; in  others,  he 
was  actually  imprisoned  for  a longer  or  shorter  time  : but,  in 
one  form  or  another,  no  man  could  escape  the  jealous  watch- 
fulness of  the  public  eye. 

In  1775,  the  Provincial  Congress,  in  the  absence,  as  we  have 
seen,  of  any  organized  government  known  to  the  law,  applied 
to  the  Continental  Congress  for  advice  as  to  what  measures 
ought  to  be  adopted  in  the  emergency.  It  was  recommended 
that  the  people  should  choose  a House  of  Representatives,  as 
had  been  done  under  the  Charter ; that  a Council  should  be 
chosen,  as  provided  in  the  Charter ; and  that  the  executive 
power  should  be  lodged  in  this  Council. 

This  recommendation  was  followed;  and  on  the  19th  July, 
1775,  the  House  of  Representatives  convened  at  the  Meeting- 
house in  Watertown,  and  the  government  was  organized  as 
advised.  Hezekiah  Ward  was  elected  a representative  from 
Leicester ; and  the  instructions  to  him,  which  were  adopted, 
were  doubtless  drawn  by  Joseph  Allen,  Esq.,  the  chairman 
of  the  committee.  They  may  be  found  in  the  Appendix  ; and 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


323 


they  give  the  clearest  and  readiest  view  I could  offer  of  the 
sense  of  intelligent  men  upon  the  wants  and  condition  of  the 
country  at  that  period.  From  this  time  till  the  adoption 
of  the  State  Constitution,  all  commissions  were  signed  by  a 
majority  of  the  Council. 

In  May,  1776,  Seth  Washburn  was  chosen  a representative  ; 
and  the  instructions  given  him  on  the  occasion  are  the  last  of 
those  remarkable  papers  which  I have  copied  from  the  re- 
cords of  the  town.  Nor  do  I deem  any  apology  necessary  for 
occupying  so  much  space  with  them,  when  they  are  regarded 
in  the  light  of  historical  documents. 

Two  things  were  at  this  time  agitating  the  public  mind, — 
the  formation  and  adoption  of  a constitution  of  government 
for  the  State,  and  the  problem  of  declaring  the  Colonies  inde- 
pendent, With  whom,  or  precisely  when,  the  idea  of  national 
independence  originated,  I am  unable  to  state  ; but  as  early 
as  May,  1776,  the  plan  had  been  so  far  matured,  that  a meet- 
ing of  the  people  of  Leicester  was  held  on  Monday,  after  the 
2 2d  of  that  month,  upon  a warrant  containing  this  article : 

To  see  if  the  town,  in  case  the  Honorable  the  Continental 
Congress  should  declare  an  independence  of  Great  Britain, 
will  support  said  Congress,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives  and  for- 
tunes, in  effectuating  such  a measure,  agreeable  to  a resolve 
of  the  late  General  Assembly  of  this  Colony.’’ 

The  House  of  Representatives  had,  on  the  9th  of  May,  re- 
commended to  the  several  towns  to  give  instructions  to  their 
representatives  with  respect  to  independence.  The  vote  of 
the  town  was,  by  the  inhabitants  then  present,  unanimously, 
that,  in  case  the  Honorable  the  Continental  Congress  should 
declare  these  Colonies  independent  of  Great  Britain,  they 
would  support  said  Congress  in  effectuating  such  a measure, 
at  the  risk  of  their  lives  and  fortunes.’’^  That  measure  having 
been  adopted  by  the  Congress,  upon  a motion  first  made  on 
the  7th  of  June,  the  people  of  the  State  were  left  to  consider 
the  matter  of  their  own  form  of  government.  The  king’s 


324 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


name  had  been  retained  in  judicial  proceedings,  until  it  was 
expunged  by  order  of  the  General  Court  in  June,  1776. 

When  independence  was  declared,  the  General  Court  was 
in  session ; and  a proposal  was  made  at  once  to  prepare  a 
form  of  government  for  the  State : but  no  measures  were  ac- 
tually taken  at  that  time.  In  September,  it  was  proposed  to 
the  people  to  elect  their  representatives  to  the  General  Court, 
with  power  to  adopt  a constitution.  This  did  not  find  general 
favor.  The  people  of  this  town  voted,  in  October,  that  the 
House  of  Representatives  ought  not,  at  that  time,  to  present 
any  new  form  of  government  or  constitution ; and  a series  of 
resolutions  were  adopted,  to  be  communicated  to  the  General 
Court,  embodying  the  views  of  the  town  upon  the  subject. 

The  Legislature,  however,  of  1777,  resolved  themselves  into 
a Constitutional  Convention  on  the  17th  of  June,  and  chose  a 
committee  of  seventeen  to  consider  and  report  upon  the  sub- 
ject. The  town  was  represented  that  year  by  Seth  Wash- 
burn and  Samuel  Green.  Mr.  Washburn  was  one  of  this 
committee.  Thomas  Cushing  was  its  chairman.  This  mea- 
sure was  taken  in  consequence  of  the  votes  of  the  towns  to 
whom  the  Legislature  had  appealed  on  the  5th  of  May  pre- 
vious. The  vote  of  Leicester  was  in  favor  of  the  Council  and 
the  House  uniting  in  one  body  in  framing  a constitution  for 
the  acceptance  of  the  people.  This  committee  of  seventeen 
reported  a form  of  a constitution  to  the  General  Court  in  De- 
cember; which  was  submitted  to  the  people  in  March,  1778. 
It  was  rejected  by  a most  decided  vote.  Among  the  objec- 
tions to  it,  it  had  no  Bill  of  Rights.  There  were  hardly  votes 
enough  for  it  to  be  thought  worth  while  to  make  returns  in 
many  of  the  towns. 

The  matter  remained  in  this  state  until  February,  1779; 
when  the  Legislature  referred  the  question  to  the  people, 
whether  they  would  have  a convention  called  for  framing  a 
new  constitution.  There  were  forty-seven  votes  in  this  town 
in  favor  of,  and  none  against,  the  proposition.  It  found  so 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


325 


much  favor  with  the  people,  that  a convention  of  delegates 
from  the  several  towns  was  held  at  Cambridge  in  September, 
1779.  The  place  of  meeting  was  the  old  Meeting-house  in 
Cambridge.  Seth  Washburn  and  William  Henshaw  were  dele- 
gates from  Leicester.  The  records  of  that  body  Avould  show, 
that,  among  the  congregated  talent  and  wisdom  of  the  State, 
these  delegates  held  an  honorable  position,  and  took  important 
parts  in  its  proceedings,  especially  as  members  of  its  leading 
committees. 

The  constitution  was  submitted  to  the  towns,  for  their  ap- 
proval or  disapproval,  in  March,  1780.  It  was  adopted  by  a 
vote  of  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  people  in  its  favor.  In 
September,  an  election  of  State  officers  was  held  ; and  in 
October,  1780,  the  government  under  the  constitution  was 
organized.  Seth  Washburn  was  the  first  representative  un- 
der the  constitution ; and,  of  the  votes  for  governor,  John 
Hancock  received  sixty-nine  out  of  seventy-two  that  were 
cast.  " 

After  a struggle  so  long  maintained,  so  exhausting  in  its 
effect  upon  the  resources  of  the  country, — -with  industry 
crippled,  commerce  suspended,  public  credit  prostrated,  the 
currency  depreciated,  and  a frightful  debt  accumulating,  — it 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  people  began  to  manifest 
symptoms  of  uneasiness  and  discontent.  Nor  was  it  less  sur- 
prising that  they  sought,  as  had  been  so  often  done  before, 
to  avert  the  evil  by  undertaking  to  regulate  prices  and  busi- 
ness by  conventions  and  resolutions  and  pledges.  A conven- 
tion for  the  purpose  was  held  on  the  14th  July,  1779,  at 
Concord;  which  was  attended  by  delegates  from  all  parts  of 
the  State.  They  came  together  to  consult  upon  the  adoption 
of  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  people  under  their  difficul- 
ties. Among  other  things,  they  proceeded  to  fix  a scale  of 
prices  of  produce  and  merchandise.  At  the  same  time,  they 
recommended,  in  strong  terms,  the  encouragement  of  schools, 
and  the  cause  of  education  generally.  Leicester,  by  vote. 


326 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


approved  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention,  and  pledged 
themselves  to  abide  by  the  same. 

A second  convention,  at  the  same  place  and  for  the  same 
purpose,  was  held  in  October  following ; at  which  the  town 
was  represented  by  Henry  King,  and  a more  detailed  system 
of  prices  was  adopted.*  These  prices  show  the  scarcity  of 
meats,  of  butter  and  cheese ; the  difficulty  in  the  way  of  im- 
porting coffee,  tea,  or  sugar ; and  the  almost  total  want  of 
cotton  in  the  country,  — one  pound  of  cotton  being  worth  as 
much  as  six  bushels  of  rye,  or  four  of  wheat.  But  the 
people  found,  by  sad  experience,  that  the  laws  of  political 
economy  are  far  more  potent  than  the  resolutions  of  popular 
assemblies. 

Men  may  vote  that  labor  shall  be  be  high  or  low,  that  pro- 
visions in  a time  of  scarcity  shall  be  no  higher  than  in  years 
of  plenty,  and  they  may  attempt  to  brand  as  an  enemy  to  his 
country  the  man  who  disregards  the  scale  of  prices  which 
consumers  may  prescribe  as  just  and  fair;  but  they  might 
about  as  well  vote  a w^et  spring  or  a warm  summer,  with 
an  expectation  of  regulating  the  weather,  as  to  attempt  by 
resolutions  to  infuse  generous  sentiments  and  a spirit  of  self- 
sacrifice  into  men  of  cold  hearts  and  selfish  natures. 

The  peace  of  1783,  though  it  crowned  the  work  of  the 
Kevolution  with  a recognition  of  our  national  independence 
by  the  world,  was  very  far  from  bringing  immediate  relief 
for  the  embarrassments  of  the  people.  The  army  was,  indeed, 
disbanded;  and  the  exhausted  granaries  and  stalls  of  the 
people  were  no  longer  to  be  taxed  to  feed  them.  But  they 
had  come  home  unpaid,  feeling  that  their  services  and  their 
sufferings  had  not  been  duly  appreciated ; while  those  who. 


* Some  of  the  prices,  beyond  which  no  one  was  at  liberty  to  charge,  were  as 
follow:  West-India  rum,  6s.  6d.  per  gallon;  molasses,  4s.  7d.  per  gallon.  Coffee,  18s.; 
brown  sugar,  14s. ; Bohea  tea,  16s. ; cotton,  36s.,  — all  these  per  pound.  Corn,  4s.  lOd. 
per  bushel;  r}'e,  6s.;  wheat,  9s.  Beef,  6s.  and  5s.  per  pound;  mutton,  4s.;  butter, 
12s.;  cheese,  6s.  per  pound. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


327 


at  home,  had  strained  their  last  sinew  to  pay  bounties  upon 
their  enlistment,  and  to  feed  and  clothe  them,  and  pay  their 
wages  (though  in  part),  felt  that  it  was  a common  lot  of 
suffering  and  sacrifice,  and  should  be  borne  by  all  as  men 
embarked  in  one  vessel,  which,  under  the  favor  of  Provi- 
dence, had  at  last  reached  its  haven.  There  were,  besides, 
officers  residing  in  the  towns,  who,  after  having  gone  through 
the  period  of  the  greatest  peril  and  sacrifice  during  the  war, 
had  only  retired  when  their  services  were  no  longer  neces- 
sary, but  who,  by  having  then  resigned,  would  lose  their 
claim  to  the  extra  allowance  made  to  such  as  remained  till 
its  close. 

In  view  of  these  things,  the  town,  in  1782,  instructed  their 
representative  to  endeavor  to  have  the  General  Court  peti- 
tion Congress  not  to  pay  the  officers  who  should  be  “ de- 
ranged out  of  the  army’’  more  than  half-pay  for  a single 
year.  Another  reason  for  this  expression  was,  undoubtedly, 
the  change  which  had  come  over  the  composition  of  the  army 
itself  towards  the  close  of  the  war.  In  addition  to  the  many 
who  had  joined  it  from  motives  of  patriotism  alone,  there 
were  others  — and  they  were  growing  more  numerous  every 
year  the  war  lasted  — who  were  influenced  by  mercenary 
motives,  and  were  ready  to  enlist  because  of  the  bounties 
and  pay  which  they  were  to  receive,  and  to  whom  the  reck- 
less and  exciting  life  of  the  camp  had  more  attractions  than 
the  hard  work  of  a farm  or  a workshop  in  tlie  seclusion  of  a 
country  town.  It  is  not,  therefore,  surprising  that  some  grew 
discontented,  and  regarded  those  things  as  grievances  which 
were  the  legitimate  result  of  a protracted  state  of  war  and 
exhausted  resources. 

There  was,  accordingly,  as  early  as  March,  1781,  a conven- 
tion called  by  the  people  of  Sutton,  who  seem  to  have  been 
the  first  to  manifest  restlessness,  to  which  Ilezekiah  Ward 
and  John  Lyon  were  delegates.  Little  was  attempted,  and, 
1 believe,  nothing  done. 


32S 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  ITS 6^  another  convention  was  held,  at  the  call,  again,  of 
the  people  of  Sutton ; professedly  to  consider  the  subject 
of  an  excise  duty,  but  embracing,  in  fact,  the  evils  generallv 
which  they  deemed  to  be  grievances.  It  met  at  Worcester, 
and  Col.  Samuel  Denny  was  a delegate  from  Leicester : 
Ebenezer  Davis,  Esq.,  of  Charlton,  was  the  president.  This 
was  but  the  muttering  of  the  storm  that  was  about  to  shake 
the  fabric  of  the  body  politic  of  the  State  to  its  foundation 
in  the  insurrection  of  ITS 6. 

We  should,  however,  be  doing  injustice  to  many,  and  per- 
haps most,  of  those  who  attended  these  early  popular  gather- 
ings, if  we  suppose  they  did  so  to  fan  a sentiment  of  discord 
among  the  people.  So  far  from  it,  many  of  them  went  for  the 
purpose  of  allaying  the  spirit  of  misrule,  and  to  infuse  wiser 
counsels  and  cooler  judgment  into  their  deliberations.  A 
memorable  instance  of  this  occurred  in  the  case  of  a conven- 
tion. called,  as  the  others  had  been,  from  Sutton,  which  met 
at  Leicester  in  May,  1T86.  Willis  Hall,  of  Sutton,  presided 
on  the  occasion.  David  Henshaw  and  Col.  Thomas  Denny 
were  delegates  from  Leicester.  They  were  firm  in  their 
adhesion  to  the  government,  resolute  in  their  purpose,  and 
shrewd  and  discreet  in  their  measures.  The  attendance  was 
thin,  and  the  convention  adjourned  to  the  15th  August.  At 
the  adjourned  meeting,  thirty-seven  towns  were  represented  ; 
but  so  effectually  clogged  were  the  measures  of  the  conven- 
tion by  the  concerted  action  of  these  gentlemen  with  other 
friends  of  the  government,  that  it  contented  itself  with  rais- 
ing a committee  to  report  a memorial  for  its  adoption,  and 
adjourned  to  Paxton  on  the  25th  September.  It  met  and 
adjourned  from  time  to  time  tiU  January,  1T8T ; when  the 
outbreak  of  the  insurgents  had  so  far  developed  itself,  that 
the  town  deliberately  resolved  not  to  be  any  longer  repre- 
sented in  such  a body,  and  dismissed  their  delegates. 

Though  there  were  several  here  who  s\Tupathized  with 
those  who  opposed  the  government  in  that  insurrection,  the 


HISTOKY  OF  LEICESTER. 


329 


measures  of  the  to^rn  were  so  far  under  the  control  of  a few 
leading  minds,  that  they  were  always  upon  the  side  of  law 
and  order.  In  the  adoption  of  many  of  the  important  votes 
passed  by  the  town  at  that  time,  its  action  was  unanimous. 
In  I7TS,  a list  was  made  of  every  man  in  town  of  the  age  of 
twenty-one  and  upwards ; and  every  one  was  called  upon  to 
take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State,  upon  the  peril  of 
being  reported  to  the  town.  Xo  one,  however,  hesitated  to 
comply ; and  the  record,  to  this  extent,  is  without  a stain. 

The  events  of  the  insurrection  belong  to  the  history  of  the 
State  rather  than  to  that  of  a single  town.  The  friends  of 
the  government  wore,  by  way  of  distinction,  a white  fillet 
of  paper  in  their  hats ; their  opj>onents,  a sprig  of  green. 
There  were  a few  of  the  latter  in  the  town,  and  it  is  fitting 
that  oblivion  should  rest  over  their  names.  Xo  one,  at  this 
day,  can  appreciate  or  understand  the  weight  of  the  pressure 
under  which  they  acte(L_  It  was  little  less  than  the  impulse 
of  despair.  I find  the  names  of  seventeen  who  were  required, 
between  the  9th  February  and  22d  March,  ITST,  to  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance ; and  nine  of  these  were  required  to  sur- 
render their  arms. 

Xumerous  anecdotes  were  once  rife  in  this  community  of 
the  parts  which  individuals  took  in  resisting  this  attempt  to 
foment  civil  war.  One  great  object  of  the  insurgents  was 
to  stop  the  courts  of  justice.  For  this  purpose,  great  num- 
bers assembled  in  Worcester  in  September  and  Xovember, 
17S6,  and  January,  I7S7.  To  prevent  the  Clerk  of  the  Court, 
— Hon.  Joseph  Allen. — whom  they  knew  no  threats  could 
intimidate,  from  attending  the  court,  a sentinel  was  posted  at 
his  door  with  a fixed  bayonet,  with  peremptory  orders  not 
to  suffer  him  to  come  out,  or  any  person  to  go  in  to  render 
him  aid.  Seth  Washburn,  having  business  with  the  court, 
and  occasion  to  see  Mr.  Allen,  was  approaching  his  door,  when 
his  right  of  passing  was  fiercely  challenged  by  this  sentinel, 
with  a bayonet  at  his  breast.  Before,  however,  the  sentinel 

42 


330 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


could  collect  his  thoughts  sufficiently  to  act  in  so  new  a duty, 
Mr.  Washburn  sprang  upon  him,  and,  seizing  his  musket  with 
one  hand  and  his  person  with  the  other,  disarmed  him ; and 
the  clerk  was  liberated  from  his  confinement. 

Luke  Day,  one  of  the  insurgent  captains  from  the  western 
part  of  the  State,  had  occasion  to  pass  from  Worcester, 
through  Leicester,  on  his  way  to  Springfield.  The  winter 
was  a remarkably  cold  one,  and  the  day  of  which  I am  speak- 
ing was  severe  for  the  winter.  lie  was  on  horseback,  wore 
a military  dress,  and  carried  a sword  in  his  hand.  Ilis 
appearance  was  imposing,  and  his  bearing  imperious  and 
haughty.  Upon  reaching  the  house  of  Mr.  Nathan  Sargent, 
the  first  one  in  Leicester  on  his  way  from  Worcester,  he 
stopped,  dismounted,  fastened  his  horse,  and  went  into  the 
house  to  warm  him. 

Laying  his  hat  and  sword  upon  the  table,  and  taking  a 
chair  to  sit  down  by  the  fire,  he  asked  Mr.  Sargent,  as  a thing 
which  he  was  going  to  take  at  any  rate,  if  he  might  warm  him 
by  his  fire.  Mr.  Sargent,  who  had  been  silently  observing 
his  free  and  easy  manners  and  his  imperative  air,  replied. 

Not  till  I know  who  you  are.  These  are  suspicious  times, 
and  I must  know  who  it  is  I am  to  entertain.”  Day,  dilating 
himself  to  his  full  height,  and  assuming  more  than  his  usual 
consequence,  replied,  that  he  was  Capt.  Day.”  — “ Then 
get  out  of  this  house  ! ” said  Mr.  Sargent ; and,  seizing  Day’s 
hat  and  sword,  threw  them  out  into  a snow-drift,  and  drove 
Day  after  them.  Gathering  them  up,  he  resumed  his  ride ; 
swearing  a vengeance  upon  Mr.  Sargent,  which  he  never 
found  it  convenient  to  inflict. 

Excursions  of  government-men  were  sent  out  from  time  to 
time,  from  Leicester,  to  seize  insurgents,  and  break  up  their 
haunts  in  other  towns,  — once,  certainly,  as  far  as  New 
Braintree.  On  the  other  hand,  the  insurgents  in  this  and  the 
neighboring  towns  were  not  passive.  Several  of  the  promi- 
nent government-men  were  obliged  to  secrete  themselves  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


331 


avoid  personal  insult  and  violence.  This  was  the  case  with 
!Mr.  Conklin.  More  than  once,  he  was  compelled  to  find  lodg- 
ings in  other  houses  than  his  own,  to  escape  the  midnight 
attacks  which  were  planned  for  his  arrest. 

Several  from  the  town  — among  whom  I might  mention  Dr. 
Flint,  and,  as  I have  been  told,  Joseph  Washburn — were 
with  Gen.  Lincoln  in  his  memorable  night-march  through  the 
trackless  drifts  of  a blinding  snow-storm,  from  Hadley  to 
Petersham,  which  struck  a final  blow  at  the  hopes  of  the 
insurgents. 

Fortunately,  the  wild  storm  of  passion  which  had  been 
agitating  the  community  like  that  of  the  elements  of  the 
night  of  the  3d  and  4th  of  February,  1787,  was  followed  by 
a day  of  sunshine  and  calm.  The  people  returned  to  the  alle- 
giance to  their  own  laws  and  institutions.  Industry,  at  last, 
wrought  out  that  independence  for  men  individually  which 
courage  and  perseverance  had  done  for  the  nation ; and  it 
has  long  since  faded  away  into  tradition,  how  troops  were 
quartered,  in  the  time  of  peace,  in  this  farmer’s  house  and 
upon  that  mechanic’s  premises  ; and  how  houses  were 
searched  for  arms,  under  an  apprehension  that  their  inmates 
were  plotting  treason,  or  collecting  the  means  for  resisting 
the  law. 

Few  events  have  occurred  of  a public  nature,  since  the 
suppression  of  ‘‘  Shay’s  Rebellion,”  in  regard  to  which  Leices- 
ter can  be  said  to  have  a history  of  her  own. 

When  the  United-States  Constitution  was  submitted  to  the 
States  for  their  ratification,  the  people  of  the  town  chose  for 
their  delegate  Col.  Samuel  Denny,  to  attend  the  convention 
that  assembled  at  Boston  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  Janu- 
ary, 1788.  When  that  body  met,  a majority  was  undoubtedly 
against  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution.  The  delegate  from 
Leicester  voted  against  it  to  the  last;  but,  fortunately, 
enough  of  its  members  were  convinced  that  the  future  sta- 
bility of  the  government,  and  the  ultimate  success  of  the 


332 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


attempt  to  maintain  national  independence,  required  them  to 
waive  their  first  impressions,  to  carry  the  measure  of  its 
adoption,  and  settle  the  question  as  a national  one,  which 
had,  till  then,  hung  doubtful  or  preponderating  against  it. 

Nor  were  they  mistaken.  Every  year  has  shown  that  it 
was  under  the  banner  of  the  Union  which  was  then  formed, 
and  under  that  alone,  that  this  nation  of  yesterday  has  gone 
on  in  its  growth  of  power  and  prosperity,  till  it  stands  to-day 
the  equal  of  the  proudest  and  oldest  of  the  family  of  nations. 

When  the  harmony  of  our  relations  with  France  was  dis- 
turbed in  1794,  and  measures  were  taken  to  raise  an  army, 
the  town  promptly  responded  to  the  call,  and  voted  bounties 
to  such  as  should  enlist,  and  an  addition  to  the  pay  offered  by 
the  General  Government.* 

But  there  were  few  laurels  won  by  the  “ Oxford  Army.” 
No  blood  was  shed ; and,  when  peace  came,  it  took  no  time  to 
heal  old  wounds ; and  every  thing  went  on  again  in  quiet. 

The  time  has  not  come  to  write  the  history  of  those  mea- 
sures upon  which  the  public  mind  was  divided  before  and 
during  the  war  of  1812.  Posterity  is  doing  justice  to  the 
memory  and  the  motives  of  the  actors  on  both  sides  ; and  time 
may,  if  it  has  not  already  done  so,  settle  the  measure  of  wis- 
dom which  dictated  the  policy  which  the  General  Government 
adopted.  All  that  I have  to  do  with  the  subject  is  to  record 
the  fact',  that  the  town  was  opposed  to  the  policy  of  the  gov- 
ernment. In  1808,  they  passed  a vote  condemning  the  em- 
bargo, and  adopted  an  address  to  Mr.  Jefferson  for  its  repeal. 

In  1812,  they,  by  vote,  disapproved  of  the  war  with  Great 
Britain  ; but  when  orders  for  draughts  of  men,  who  should 


♦ I have  before  me  the  original  receipt  of  the  following  soldiers  who  volunteered  as 
minute-men  in  September,  1794,  and  received  a bounty  of  six  shillings  each  from  the 
town:  Sergeant,  Elisha  Towne;  corporal,  Nathan  Beers;  John  Fessenden,  Josliua 
Sprague,  Jacob  Hobart,  Asahel  Matthews,  Reuben  B.  Swan,  Joseph  Whittemore,  Jo- 
seph Elliot,  jun.,  Lanson  Morse,  David  Watson,  Joseph  Henshaw,  Baley  Bond,  Joel 
Woodard,  Thomas  F.  Newhall,  Abraham  Walker,  Nathaniel  Hammond,  3d,  Daniel 
Wilson,  Simeon  Phelps,  Daniel  Baldwin,  John  Adams. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


333 


be  ready  to  march  at  the  earliest  notice,  came,  they  were 
promptly  complied  with.  As  there  was  then  no  light  com- 
pany in  town,  the  order  under  which  the  light  troops  of  the 
State  were  called  into  service  in  and  around  Boston  did  not 
affect  its  inhabitants ; and  none  of  them,  except  a few  who 
may  have  enlisted  into  the  regular  army,  were  required  to  do 
active  duty  during  the  war. 

An  incident  connected  with  one  of  these  draughts  may  not 
be  inappropriate  here,  however  it  may  reflect  upon  the  cou- 
rage and  patriotism  of  the  soldiers  of  1812  compared  with 
those  of  1775. 

The  flrst  order  was,  I think,  for  five  or  seven  from  the  South 
Company.  It  was  then  pretty  generally  believed,  that  who- 
ever was  drawn  would  have  service  to  do  in  repelling  the 
attacks  of  the  enemy  upon  our  coast.  No  one  seemed  anx- 
ious to  win  laurels  in  that  quarter.  Instead,  however,  of 
drawing,  as  was  first  proposed,  the  names  of  the  requisite 
number  by  lot,  it  was  thought  best  to  offer  an  opportunity,  to 
such  as  were  willing,  to  enlist  freely.  It  was,  accordingly, 
proposed,  that,  the  company  standing  in  open  ranks,  the  drum- 
mer should  proceed  from  the  right  of  the  company  down  its 
rear,  and  then  up  in  front,  beating  the  proper  call ; and  that 
such  as  were  willing  to  enlist  should  fall  in,  and  follow  him  up 
to  the  right  of  the  company.  The  captain,  after  addressing 
a few  patriotic  words  to  his  men,  gave  the  proper  order.  The 
drummer  went  beating  his  drum  down  the  rear,  and  up  the 
front  of  the  line  to  his  place  ; but  no  one  moved.  Each 
waited  for  his  courage  to  come  or  his  neighbor  to  go  ; and 
soldiers  and  spectators  stood  waiting  to  see  what  was  to  be 
the  next  movement. 

The  order  was  repeated : and  again  the  drummer  began  his 
round,  and  had  reached  about  the  middle  of  the  front  of  the 

compan}",  with  no  better  success  than  before  ; when  Mr.  S , 

a soldier  of  the  Revolution,  — who  liad  brought  from  the  ser- 
vice a wound  which  had  made  it  convenient  to  use  a staff. 


zn  's~:nrrz!L  ilif-  o£  1775  'ars.s  n.-o  rnie-azis  dead. — 

exepr^d  zn:^  zde  ^eiGip  c-f  sz-ertiii’ze  -ffirno  were  wimeeeiii^ 
idie  stire^a-e : ebifrZd-erei  Iiie  sll^  as  be  bad  so  often  doine  bis 
nnsbez  zo:re  zbsn  liiirnr  yeau^  beome : and  died  in  behind  the 
-dnmreer,  ~^rr:h  a neasiiLrei  siep  and  soi'dieriy  t earing’,  and 
Ktuuzwed  ''"•iTr::  nr-  zhe  bne.  Ano-iber  and  another  of  his  oJd 
(X'^HLianions  rr  ams.  who  were  present;,  died  in  behind  : 
mtl,  bef;-re  the  ■irn3!nn&-er  bad  rea;ohed  ibe  head  of  tie  com- 
riany.  n:re  ihan  ihe  reinisixe  nnmber  of  resrmirs  had  paraded 
oc.  me  sxc-c.  amidst  me  anti'tianse  cf  me  speotaio-rs,  as  voinit- 
teers  aradn  ready  to  narrh-  if  their  n’'Tmtry  needed  mem. 

We  have  re-aohei  a peided.  huweT^,  in  reviewing'  the  piast, 
•if  whiriL  histciry  tisay  not  nre-snme  m snedk:  at  present.  It 
remains  for  sim-e  cioe,  less  ddentidei  with  the  oharacter  cf 
Tiasdnn  ewonts.  tc  'de  instioe  to  these  and  their  actors.  And 
Ten.  in  cio.sinr  Th~-  'OCTimie  cf  what  roes  zc  nsake  np  the  rene- 
rai  history  of  the  towcL  ii  seems  m be  a proper  ocoasicfi  to 
t’ireseinii  t*o  me  monn  sente  of  the  nocre  snromnr  oftcnznstan'C~es 
~hi-cb  rharacneiTSB  the  present  an*d  the  past. 

In  thr  nrst  nlace.  the  incest  remarkable  o-onirast  is  in  wha* 
r^'es  y<o  make  trp  5fe  iiseif  Mem  Irre  a rreat  deal  :^ster,  acri 
n_  np»  hfe  a ■^nust  deal  m:re  cvcncTleteiy.  new.  Th.a.r  they  did 
eeT'e!a!ty  ct  eirhty  years  art*-  Wither  new5ta,pers  or  p*:st- 
omres ; wnh  few  books,  ajt'd  these  enceeihirdy  enpen'ire ; 
■wnm  n:  means  of  Emerncanrse,  fer  o'jfir.jne’Ei  p-eople,  btii  on  focn 
«'r  cci  hc^rseiaek  — nie  mpen  their  mrms  for  there  were  few 
w.jrtshopte  no  serve  as  iia*ces  <j£  neiphborhecd  res-C'rn  mnst 
harre  stagnated  for  want  cf  sente thinr  m rotise  the  mind  to 
atcncfTOL 

It  is  dim>rgit  for  oitie,  stan'dinz  in  "dte  whiri  an-d  go-ahead 
movement  of  every  thinz  amftn'd  nhnt  in  C'mr  'day.  — railroaids, 
which  hrtnz  '""-hr  nearer  m Xew  York  than  his  gran-'dfmher 
was  n.0  the  next  town  tnai  adj.'iine*i  him:  ntaSs  everywhere, 
and  front  three  no  half  a dozen  times  a day,  between  points 
wtui'Cn  mL  titen  nco  ac  a i>jrtztizht  no  conmiect : me  w ■sp^tp’^  rs  • P^O” 


HI5TOSY  OF  LFICIIiTES- 


3:35 


litical.  scieiidfic,  aiid  liit-rary';,  •eiol'ra.ciDz  aM 

resu  and  and  5nal<*j€^ts.  iiuno»wii  miM  ev-eiy  nt^'^  do'^r. 

to  toll  ^im-  am<jn^  otii'er  iMngs,  of  whai  T.L*ok  JNlai^^e  two  t i'Tir; 
ago  ai  St-  Lonis  or  Halifax,  and  pia-cing  l~iiifn-  af  ii  frtro.  npcn 
one  great  central  pnint.  ’srinene,  liLTongii  tiie  sen^itiire  wire?  «;-f 
the  tele'grapk.  he  can  feel  eveiy  j-nlsation  of  the  mc'^ing  mil- 
lion? npon  the  gk>Jbe,  — I say.  it  i?  diffi'cnlt  foir  ?ueh  a cne  to 
oomprehend  the  dnlL  n><:'nQtt.<mon?.  idodiiile  life  cf  the  £r?i 
generation  of  those  who  planted  these  to'wn?  in  ihe  inteiiuT 
of  Massaehusett?.  Every  thing  peinakes  o»f  the  change:  and 
everv  wnai^  seems  to  be  c>n  a chase  with  his  feliow-mc-n.  which 
shall  go  l^rthesT  and  fastest- 

In  the  S'choc»ls-  instead  of  a few  mdiiments  of  elenjentaiy 
teaching,  the  whole  eneyelop«s-'dia  of  s^cienee  is  to  be  m^LSteied 
by  boys  and  giri?  of  a dozen  years  <^'d : and-  in  natters  of 
religion.  — instead  of  a minister  settled  for  lile.  jrea.ching 
his  two  sermt'ns  of  a Sunday,  and  workini:  his  farm  and  study- 
ing his  pic-ndeipons  tomes  of  polemical  divinity  of  a week-day. 
— there  are  ni>t  days  en>->ngh  in  the  week  for  ihe  lecmres 
and  meetings,  the  sewing^irdes.  the  s*ecieTy-gaihejings  cf  all 
imaginable  phases  of  benevolence : in  ail  which,  everybody, 
especially  the  minister,  mnst  take  a parr,  — to  te  used  tap  and 
dismissed  the  rn'Cment  he  <ceases  to  be  ab>le  t*o  - keep  alive  the 
interest  of  his  people."’ 

We  olften  hear,  and  always  with  scmeihing  like  a feeling  of 
reflected  merit,  of  the  conrag-e  and  piatnodsm.  the  puritanic 
virtues  and  primitive  simplicity  of  habfe,  of  ctir  ancestors ; 
and  yet.  loc»se  as  may  be  the  sentiments  of  onr  own  day.  it 
seems  to  me  that  there  has  been  a decided  imprc-vemem  nj»cn 
the  state  of  morals  which  existed  immediately  and  fcr  many 
years  after  the  war.'*' 


• I icii’CT  iJjf  tarrorrr-ri^Tii  f~?tTr  s iitrr  it*-  a >Zfi.'^?rrr»frr.: ; 

arS5:<5Lr:i  rc^rV*  i’T  it:-  mhUTif  iK  rfr'-riuc  f ' a •s;if»r.Ti>fTr  f'f  tr»<-  2i>:i~uH  rit*  •'.•Tri 
JC  iLju  I •CCtil  tiie  XUiSDirS.  ii-  1 rXWX  Ctlit  id  CiCTDf  7:  j.UCt 


336 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  war  and  the  camp  had  had  their  usual  effect  upon 
those  who  had  served  through  the  Revolution.  Indisposition 
for  systematic  labor,  and  profanity  and  intemperance,  were 
the  natural  fruits  of  a soldier’s  life.  These  were  Avitnessed 
in  high  life  as  well  as  low.  Some  of  the  grosser  vices  Avere 
more  openly  tolerated  then  than  they  are  now ; because  the 
tastes  of  the  community  are  more  cultiv^ated,  and  less  tolerant 
of  grossness  in  any  form,  than  they  once  Avere.  On  the  other 
hand,  in  the  intercourse  of  life  — in  the  respect  for  age, 
for  eminence  in  rank  or  station ; in  the  bearing  of  children 
toAvards  their  parents,  and  in  the  young  toAvards  the  old  — 
there  has  been  a change  Avhich  no  man  can  fail  to  deplore. 

There  was  a courtesy,  and'  dignity  of  intercourse,  in  their 
associations  in  the  army,  betAveen  our  Avell-bred  superior 
officers  and  those  Avho  had  been  trained  in  the  schools  of 
Germany  and  France,  Avhich  impressed  itself  upon  every  little 
community  in  Avhich  they  settled  after  the  war,  and  Avhich 
has  given  place  to  the  precocity  of  Young  America,  and  the 
deference  Avhich  the  3"oung,  now-a-days,  extort  from  the  mid- 
dle-aged and  the  old. 

The  style  of  dress,  of  the  houses  in  which  men  li\"e,  of 
their  social  entertainments,  and,  in  short,  the  Avhole  matter  of 
living,  has  full}^  kept  pace  Avith  the  progress  of  other  changes. 
What  man,  much  less  what  Avoman,  Avould  be  content  Avith  the 
furniture  that  satisfied  our  grandmothers?  — sanded  or  paint- 
ed floors,  Avithout  a carpet ; an  hour=glass,  it  may  be,  but  no 
clock ; a pillion,  but  no  chaise  or  carriage  of  any  kind.  In- 
stead of  a piano,  the  daughters  learned  the  use  of  a spinning- 


an  end  as  might  have  been  anticipated;  and  it  can  be  of  no  use  to  revive  the  memory 
of  forgotten  wrecks. 

“In  January,  1772,  the  ‘Club’  met  at Tavern,  and  drank,  and  played  cards, 

and  quarrelled,  all  night.  They  met  again  in  February,  and  carried  on  the  same  game: 
and  in  March,  on  Alonday,  they  met  and  staid  till  Tuesday  night;  and  they  gave  D.’s 
wife  a mug  of  flip  to  kiss  B.  The  names  of  some  of  these  are  \V.  B.  R.,  and  others. 
And,  on  23d  May,  there  was  fiddling  and  dancing  kept  up  in  said  tavern;  and,  in  July  o, 
the  same  again:  all  which  is  against  law.” 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


337 


wheel  and  loom,  in  which  the  garments  of  the  household  were 
wrought.  The  household  arts  have  indeed,  within  that  time, 
wholly  disappeared,  and  a quill-wheel  ” or  a “ reel  has 
become  a curiosity  suited  to  a museum  of  antediluvian  fos- 
sils. On  the  other  hand,  schools  have  vastly  improved ; the 
standard  of  education  of  all  classes  has  advanced,  especially 
among  the  so-called  educated  men,  in  an  equal  ratio ; and 
branches  of  science,  which  were  not  known,  even  by  name, 
to  our  ancestors,  are  now  familiar  studies.  Books  have  been 
multiplied,  especially  such  as  are  suited  to  the  popular  taste, 
and  their  prices  reduced  to  an  extent  of  which  no  man 
could  have  conceived  three-quarters  of  a century  ago ; while 
newspapers  and  magazines,  in  the  purposes  to  which  they 
are  applied,  are  all  but  the  discoveries  of  the  last  half- 
century. 

As  to  the  condition  of  woman,  if  her  equality  of  rights  and 
duties  be  a test  of  the  social  condition  of  an  age  in  the 
matter  of  comparative  advancement,  — saying  nothing  of  the 
conventionalities  of  social  intercourse  and  fashion,  — many  of 
the  things  which  women  are  now  holding  conventions  and 
making  harangues  and  adopting  resolutions  that  they  have  a 
right  to  do,  our  mothers  did,  without  dreaming  that  they  were 
heroines  or  martyrs.  I have  mentioned  more  than  once 
what  they  did  in  the  culture  of  their  farms  while  their  hus- 
bands were  away  in  the  army.  Time  and  again,  the  wife  of 
the  representative  of  the  town  accompanied  him  on  horse- 
back to  Boston  to  make  her  own  little  purchases,  and  lead 
back  the  animal  which  the  husband  had  ridden,  as  the  only 
mode  of  travelling  at  that  day  ; and  when  the  muster- 
master  of  the  Continental  troops  was  absent  on  public  duty, 
and  men  offered  themselves  for  inspection,  the  wife  did 
not  hesitate  to  perform  the  duty,  and  deliver  the  proper 
certificate  in  order  to  their  being  mustered  into  the  army.* 


This  was  repeatedly  done  in  the  ca,<!e  of  the  muster-masteHn  Leicester. 

43 


338 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Nobody  spoke  of  these  women  as  “ strong-minded/’  or  ex- 
pected to  find  them  any  the  less  better  wives  or  mothers, 
because  they  shared  in  the  rough  but  common  experiences 
of  a community  of  which  they  were  a part. 

I say  nothing  of  any  comparison  between  the  standard  of 
political  qualification  and  success  during  the  last  quarter 
of  the  last  century  and  our  own  day.  Some  have  thought  the 
scale  of  morals,  of  disinterested  devotion  to  country,  and  of 
qualification  for  office;  learning,  fitness,  and  honesty,  — had 
not  been  elevated  or  improved  since  the  days  of  Hawley  and 
Adams  and  Madison  and  Jay.  It  may  be  that  posterity  will 
perceive  beauties  and  excellences,  in  the  policy  and  measures 
and  deportment  of  the  last  Congress  or  two,  which  have 
escaped  the  attention  of  those  who  stood  too  near  them  to 
judge  of  the  harmony  into  which  the  light  and  shade  of  their 
grouping  upon  the  canvas  may  blend  at  a period  of  observa- 
tion more  remote. 

One  change  in  the  people  of  this  community,  since  the 
close  of  the  Revolution,  cannot  escape  the  attention  of  the 
most  casual  observer.  That  contest  found  New  England,  at 
its  commencement,  an  industrial,  a homogeneous  race  of  men, 
of  pure  Anglo-Saxon  stock.  The  Revolution  introduced  a 
new  element,  to  an  inconsiderable  extent,  by  the  deserters 
and  those  taken  prisoners,  who  chose  to  remain  here,  of  the 
British  and  German  troops. 

In  March,  1780,  by  a vote  of  the  General  Court,  “ Robert 
Todd,  a British  soldier  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention  of 
Saratoga,  is  permitted  to  reside  in  Leicester ; having  taken 
the  oath  of  allegiance  and  paid  taxes  in  Leicester,  and  pro- 
duced a certificate  of  the  selectmen  that  he  appears  to  be  a 
good  member  of  society.” 

Even  within  the  recollection  of  many  now  living,  the  sight 
of  an  “ old  countryman  ” was  rare  in  country  towns  forty 
miles  from  the  seaboard.  But  now  their  numbers  have  be- 
come so  great,  that  the  national  prejudice  thereby  awakened 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


339 


was  made  the  basis  of  a short-lived  party  organization,  impo- 
tent indeed  of  good ; and  the  Constitution  of  the  Common- 
wealth has  been  amended,  to  counteract,  as  it  is  assumed,  the 
un-Americanized  action  of  naturalized  citizens. 

But,  in  a work  like  this,  it  is  only  in  reference  to  its  local 
and  social  effect  that  this  change  is  referred  to.  Nor  is  it 
to  be  wondered  at,  that  those  who  remember  the  old  and 
stable  families  that  have  given  place,  as  proprietors  of  the  soil 
in  many  of  our  towns,  to  names  of  less  familiar  patronymic 
origin,  should  regret  the  change,  even  if  they  were  conscious 
of  no  national  prejudice  or  jealousy. 

Fortunately,  the  process  of  assimilation  goes  on  so  rapidly, 
that  no  effort  to  create  a caste  in  social  or  political  rights, 
based  on  birth  alone,  can  ever  be  successful  for  any  great 
length  of  time.  By  the  second  generation,  every  one  is  fused 
into  an  American  citizen,  and  the  birthplace  of  the  ancestor 
is  forgotten.  ^ 

As  we  thus  glance  over  the  past,  we  can  hardly  fail  of  the 
conviction,  that,  in  every  thing  that  goes  to  make  up  what  is 
called  the  progress  of  the  age,  Leicester  has  kept  pace  with 
the  other  towns  in  the  Commonwealth ; but,  when  we  turn 
to  the  future,  it  cannot  be  concealed,  that  there  are  causes  at 
work,  in  this  and  every  town  similarly  situated,  adverse  to  its 
retaining  its  relative  importance,  although  it  may  be  making 
a positive  progress  in  wealth  and  numbers. 

There  has  been  — especially  of  late  years,  and  since  the 
opening  of  so  many  railroads  — a tendency  to  centralization, 
drawing  men  of  capital  and  enterprise  to  the  focal  points  of 
business.  It  is  seen  in  the  counties  in  this  Commonwealth, 
and  in  the  great  business  republic  of  the  country.  The 
smaller  towns  and  cities  do  not  keep  pace,  in  their  relative 
rank  and  influence,  with  the  larger  ones ; and,  so  long  as  a 
wide  field  offers  more  attractions  for  the  man  of  enterprise 
than  a limited  one,  this  will  continue  to  go  on.  One  sees  it  in 
Worcester,  in  Boston,  and  in  New  York.  There  is  scarcely  a 


340 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


town  in  all  New  England  that  is  not  more  or  less  largely 
represented  in  each  of  the  two  last-named  cities. 

At  a social  gathering  in  Worcester,  a few  years  since,  of 
natives  of  Leicester  resident  in  that  city,  some  sixty  or  more 
sat  down  together  to  indulge  in  the  pleasant  memories  of  their 
birthplace.  These  embraced  men  in  almost  every  business 
and  profession.  They  were  among  those  whose  industry  and 
moral  worth  had  been  adding  wealth  and  respectability  to  the 
flourishing  city  of  their  adoption.  It  was  from  no  feeling  of 
alienation  towards  the  home  of  their  childhood.  It  was  no 
sudden  exodus  from  the  place  where  their  fathers  had  lived 
contentedly  and  independently.  They  came  one  by  one,  and 
as  the  superior  advantages  of  their  new  homes  for  business 
offered  attractions  sufficiently  strong  to  break  the  ties  that 
bound  them  to  those  they  left.  That  something  like  this  is 
to  operate  upon  the  hopes  and  reasonable  ambition  of  young 
men  hereafter,  is  doubtless  to  be  expected. 

If,  however,  mechanics  and  traders  and  professional  men 
shall  continue  to  seek  elsewhere  a wider  or  more  tempting 
field  for  their  enterprise  and  skill,  the  town  has  little  cause 
to  apprehend  a decline,  if  she  will  but  avail  herself  of  the 
attractions  which  she  will  continue  to  command  in  the  lite- 
rary institution  which  is  planted  here,  and  in  the  associations 
which  she  may  offer  of  moral,  cultivated,  and  refined  society ; 
and  will  lend,  to  the  natural  beauties  of  scenery  of  a locality 
of  unsurpassed  healthfulness,  the  adornments  of  taste  which 
a wise  liberality  and  a generous  public  spirit  would  dictate. 
It  was  of  the  past,  however,  that  I undertook  to  speak : and 
I cannot  review  what  I have  written,  — meagre  and  unsatis- 
factory as  it  may  seem,  — without  congratulating  her  sons, 
wherever  they  may  be  found  scattered  through  this  wide 
continent,  that  the  past  is  at  least  secure ; that,  among  con- 


* A history  of  this  institution,  in  a pamphlet  of  158  pages,  having  been  published 
in  1855,  further  notice  of  it  has  been  purposely  omitted  in  this  work,  to  avoid  repeti- 
tion ; both  being  from  the  same  pen. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


341 


temporary  civil  communities,  none  more  faithfully,  more  zeal- 
ously, or  more  consistently,  acted  up  to  the  line  of  duty,  of 
honor,  and  of  patriotism,  as  well  in  the  hours  of  danger  and 
difficulty  as  of  prosperity  and  success,  than  the  one  in  whose 
councils  their  ancestors  took  a part,  and  within  whose  soil 
their  ashes  are  reposing. 


342 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


GENEALOGIES,  &c. 


The  reader  should  be  apprised  that  this  chapter  is  exceed- 
ingly defective,  from  the  impossibility,  with  the  means  and 
opportunity  I could  command,  to  make  it  complete.  It  has 
been  my  aim  to  record  the  names,  and  dates  of  birth,  of  all 
persons  born  in  Leicester  in  the  first  century  after  its  settle- 
ment ; and,  so  far  as  these  have  been  recorded  in  the  registry 
of  births  in  the  town,  I believe  it  has  been  done.  Beyond 
that,  I have  depended  upon  published  family  genealogies  in 
part,  and  in  part  upon  the  aid  which  individuals  have  been 
able  to  afford  me. 

If,  therefore,  many  names  and  certain  families  are  omitted, 
who,  from  their  social  position  and  influence,  might  be  ex- 
pected to  hold  a place  in  such  a record,  it  must  be  ascribed 
only  to  the  want  of  means  of  obtaining  the  requisite  informa- 
tion. Imperfect  as  it  is,  this  record  will  be  found  to  contain 
about  three  hundred  families ; in  procuring  the  account  of 
which,  I have  to  acknowledge  the  aid  derived  from  the  “ Ge- 
nealogical Sketch  of  the  Descendants  of  Thomas  Green,’’  by 
Samuel  S.  Green,  Esq.,  of  Providence  ; the  “ Genealogy  of 
the  Vinton  Family,”  by  J.  A.  Vinton ; the  Genealogy  of  the 
Sargent  Family,”  by  Aaron  Sargent,  Esq.,  of  Somerville,  Mass.; 
the  Genealogy  of  the  Parsons  Family,”  by  S.  G.  Drake,  Esq., 
published  in  the  Genealogical  Register ; ” and  personal  com- 
munications from  Dr.  Pliny  Earle,  Lyman  Waite,  Esq.,  and 
Joseph  A.  Denny,  Esq.,  of  Leicester ; Hon.  Judge  Hayward 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


343 


of  McConnellsville,  0.,  in  relation  to  the  Brown  Family ; Henry 
H.  Silvester,  Esq.,  of  Charleston,  N.H. ; and  the  valuable 
“History  of  Spencer,”  by  Hon.  James  Draper,  to  which  re- 
ference has  more  than  once  been  made.  To  Mr.  William  S. 
Denny — whose  transcript  of  the  records  of  the  births,  mar- 
riages, and  deaths,  was  kindly  furnished  for  my  use  — I am 
also  much  indebted  for  the  means  of  testing  the  accuracy  of 
the  information  derived  from  other  quarters. 

Adams,  Ebenezer,  m.  Alice  Frink  of  Rutland,  and  had  Ame- 
lia,  b.  June  2, 1796 ; m.  Rev.  Mr.  Murdock,  and  d.  in  Portland, 
Me.  Adeline  A.,  b.  Jan.  17,  1798;  d.  unmarried.  John  F., 
b.  Nov.  3,  1799  ; m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Hon.  Lovell  Walker; 
now  lives  in  Washington,  D.C.,  and  is  noticed  in  this  work. 
Charles  A.,  b.  Oct.  2,  1801 ; d.  in  early  life  in  Portland.  Har- 
riet B.,  b.  Sept.  14,  i804;  m.  Hon.  John  Aiken,  now  of  Ando- 
ver; d.  in  Columbia,  S.C.,  where  she  had  gone  for  health, 
leaving  two  children,  one  a professor  in  Dartmouth  College. 
Mrs.  Adams  d.  June  20,  1805,  aged  thirty-six. 

Allen,  Joseph,  Hon.,  removed  here  from  Boston,  Nov.  17, 
1771 ; m.  Anne,  dau.  of  Judge  Steele,  and  had  Thomas ^ b. 
Nov.  16,  1774;  d.  March  30,  1775.  Mrs.  Allen  d.  May  10, 
1775,  aged  twenty-four.  In  1776,  Mr.  Allen  was  appointed 
Clerk  of  the  Courts  of  the  County,  and  removed  to  Worcester. 
He  is  noticed  in  this  work.  He  held  many  offices  of  honor 
and  trust,  — Councillor,  Member  of  Congress,  Presidential 
Elector,  Ac.;  and  d.  Sept.  2,  1827,  aged  seventy-eight. 

Allen,  Aaron,  m.  Catherine  Cummings,  July  10,  1739; 
and  had  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  4,  1739. 

Allen,  Lewis,  m.  Mary  Adams  of  Worcester,  but  liad  no 
children.  He  was  from  Shrewsbury.  He  lived  on  the  Mount- 
Pleasant  Place,  then  in  fine  repair;  and  d.  Nov.  7,  1782,  aged 
thirty-four.  He  was  buried  in  the  garden  of  the  place  on 
which  he  lived.  He  was  spoken  of  at  his  death  as  “ a great 
loss  to  his  friends  and  the  public.” 


344 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Bass,  Joseph,  was  early  a seafaring  man  and  a ship-master 
in  the  West-India  trade.  He  came  from  Plymouth  County  to 
Leicester  with  his  family.  His  wife  was  mother  of  John 
Hobart,  Esq.  Their  children  were  Manly ; Matilda,  m.  a 
Reed ; Saha,  m.  William  Lynde  ; Warren,  removed  to  Lisbon, 
N.H. ; Betsey,  d.  unmarried.  Mr.  Bass  is  noticed  in  another 
part  of  this  work.  His  wife  d.  1816;  he  in  1829,  aged 
seventy-five.  He  lived  in  the  house  opposite  Mrs.  New- 
halPs. 

Beers,  Nathan,  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Isaac  Southgate,  Mar.  4, 
1790;  and  had  Sally,  b.  June  17,  1790;  m.  Amos  Warren, 
Esq.,  of  Woodstock,  Vt.,  1854.  Melissa,  b.  Feb.  10,  1798  ; 
m.  R.  Bancroft,  1821.  Horatio,  b.  May  10,  1802.  Alphonso, 
b.  Dec.  26,  1805;  d.  April  22,  1843.  Almira,  a twin;  m.  Wil- 
liam Woodcock  of  Leicester,  1838.  Albert,  b.  July  13,  1800; 
and  Afleline,  b.  Nov.  4,  1813.  Mr.  Beers  was  a manufacturer  of 
shoes  ; and,  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  lived  in  Cherry  Valley, 
in  the  house  afterwards  occupied  by  Moses  Shepherd. 

Bruce,  George,  m.  Hannah  Lovett,  March  30,  1758.  He 
was  born  in  Mendon ; was  a commissar}^  in  the  army  of  the 
Revolution;  and  removed  to  Rutland.  From  tlience  he  came 
to  Leicester  about  1783.  He  lived  in  various  places  in  the 
town ; and,  at  one  time,  kept  a tavern  in  the  Mount-Pleasant 
House.  He  died  May  3,  1788.  He  had  ten  children,  all  of 
whom  were  born  before  his  removal  to  Leicester;  but  most 
if  not  all  of  them  lived  at  some  time  in  Leicester.  Among 
them  were  PAine/io?,  b.  Jan.  7,  1762;  mentioned  among  the 
college  graduates.  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  27,  1767 ; m.  Daniel  P. 
Upton,  Esq.,  of  Eastport,  Me.,  and  was  the  mother  of  Hon. 
George  B.  Upton  of  Boston.  George,  b.  Nov.  21,  1769  ; d.  in 
Billerica  in  1826  ; had  been  a merchant  in  Boston.  Fatty, 
b.  May  10, 1771 ; m.  Nathan  Waite,  jun.,  afterwards  of  Sterling ; 
d.  July,  1794,  leaving  one  daughter.  Abigail,  b.  July  14, 
1773  ; died  unmarried  at  Billerica,  1843.  Stephen,h.  Aug.  21, 
1775  ; d.  in  Worcester,  unmarried.  William,  b.  Feb.  14,  1778  ; 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


345 


d.  in  Bangor,  1841  ; a merchant.  Charles^  b.  Sept.  29,  1781  ; 
d.,  unmarried,  1817;  had  been  a merchant  in  Charleston,  S.C. 
None  of  the  family  remain  in  Leicester. 

Barton,  Joshua,  came  from  Oxford  in  1720.  He  had  Timo- 
thy^ b.  April  13,  1732;  Nathan,  b.  July  23,  1734;  Reuben, 
b.  March  28,  1738.  He  removed  to  Spencer  in  1737.  His 
wife’s  name  was  Anna. 

Barton,  Phinehas,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  Hasey,  1772. 
They  had  Betsey,  b.  Sept.  3, 1776  ; m.  Alexander  Westley.  Eli- 
jah, b.  Oct.  25, 1778  ; m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Luther  Ward,  1810  ; 
was  an  ingenious  mechanic ; removed  from  Leicester,  before 
1817,  to  Connecticut,  where  he  now  lives.  Samuel,  b.  Dec. 
24,  1782.  Phinehas,  b.  May  12,  1785.  Phinehas,  2d,  b.  Oct. 
27,  1795  ; lives  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Horace,  b.  Dec.  17, 
1799.  Mr.  Barton  was  a laboring  man,  and  lived  in  various 
places  in  Leicester.  Edward,  a son  of  Betsey,  is  a well- 
known  gentleman  of  business  in  New  York;  and  is  one  of 
the  proprietors  of  the  New-York  Times,”  which  he  helped 
to  establish. 

Barton,  Caleb,  brother  of  the  above,  came  originally  from 
Oxford.  He  lived  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  and  is 
mentioned  among  the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution.  He  had 
Caleb,  jun.  David.  Charles,  b.  in  1795  ; now  living  in  Leices- 
ter. Otis,  who  lives  in  Oakham.  And  Brigham  N,  now  in 
business  in  Philadelphia.  His  daughters  were  Rebecca,  who 
m.  Knight  Sprague,  jun.  Sally,  m.  J.  Gilbert.  Patty,  m. 
Philip  Earle.  Roxa,  m.  Charles  King;  and  d.  1843,  aged  fifty- 
three.  Mehitabel,  m.  a Hixon  of  Medway.  Huldah,  m.  a Clark 
of  Medway.  Harriet,  m.  a Prentiss  of  Auburn.  Adeline,  m.  a 
Blake  of  Ilopkinton.  Mr.  Barton  had  two  wives  : first,  Polly, 
dau.  of  Samuel  Upham  ; and,  second,  Betsey  Lamb. 

Brown,  William,  was  born  in  England;  came  to  this  coun- 
try before  1686,  and  to  Leicester  before  1721.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Indian  and  French  wars.  He  died  in  Leicester 
in  1752.  His  wife’s  name  was  Martha.  They  had  William,  2d  ; 

44 


346 


HISTORY  OF  LFICFSTZR. 


•/oiji,  b.  abont  1703;  Zickari^ih  : and  S>jmu^,  He  Kved  on 
ihe  farm  now  belonging  to  William  Silvester. 

Bsows'.  William.  2d.  son  of  the  above.  His  wife’s  name 
was  Martha.  Thev  had  Martha,  b.  April  30,  1724;  WUUam, 
3d.  b.  Dec.  12,  1727.  He  lived  where  William  Silvester  now 
lives. 

Bsowy.  Zachaeiah.  son  of  William,  1st ; m.  Patience  Con- 
verse. 1730 ; and  had  Joshua,  b.  J nne  3, 1732.  Zickariak,  2d  ; 
b.  Oct.  6.  1739.  His  house  was  sonth-west  of  WiUiam  Silves- 
ter’s. and  npon  the  somth  side  of  the  road. 

Brown.  Samtzl.  son  of  William,  1st.  His  wife’s  name  was 
Mary.  They  had  Eum<x.  who  married  Elder  Richard  Sonth- 
gate,  gran'ifather  of  Capt.  Isaac  Sonthgate;  and  Abram, 
b.  Feb.  5,  174(». 

Brown.  John,  1st,  son  of  William.  1st.  was  a soldier  in  the 
French  wars,  and  commanded  a company  in  the  Lonisbiirg 
expedition  in  1745.  He  was  a lea^iing  man  in  the  town,  and 
its  representative  in  the  General  Conrt  for  twenty  years.  He 
d.  1791,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight.  His  first  wife  was  Lydia 
XewhalL  He  lived  where  Peter  Silvester  lived  and  died,  in 
the  sonth-west  part  of  the  town.  Their  children  were  John, 
b.  173-3.  Pejbey.  b.  ^lay  27,  1737.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
F rench  W ar.  He  bnilt  and  lived  in  the  old  honse  lately  owned 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Spragne.  Dorothy,  b.  Ang.  23,  172S  ; m. 
Simeon  Wilson.  1746.  Lydia,  b.  Xov.  14.  1730;  m.  Edward 
Hale  of  Uxbridge.  174S. 

Capt.  Brown  hl,  for  his  second  wife.  Mary  Jones,  annt  of 
Hon.  John  Coffin  Jones,  and  had  Mary,  b.  April  24,  1743  ; 
m.  Daniel  Reed,  Uxbridge,  1765.  Rd^ekah^  b.  Sept.  9,  1744; 
m.  Isaac  .Sonthgate  ^1769y  father  of  Capt,  Isaac.  Benjamin, 
b.  Oct.  6.  1745;  m.  Jean,  dan.  of  Archibald  Thomas,  1792. 
He  commanded  a company  of  Continental  troops,  in  the  Revo- 
Intion.  three  years;  remcwed  to  Ohio  in  1797,  and  died  in 
1S21.  L^icy.  b.  Oct.  S.  1747.  ^irah.  b.  Xov.  23,  1750;  m. 
Juhn  White,  17S5.  Hannah,  b.  Xov.  24,  1752;  m.  Frederick 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


347 


Baylies,  1773.  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  16,  1754;  m.  Jeremiab 
Chase,  1780.  William,  b.  Jnne  15,  1758.  Caleh,  b.  Feb.  16, 
1760.  Daniel,  b.  Dec.  17, 1761.  Opphia,  b.  April  13,  1765. 
Aziel,  and  three  other  children ; making  nineteen  in  all.  Of 
these,  John,  Perley,  and  WiUiam  were  in  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill ; making,  with  Benjamin,  four  in  the  Revolutionary  ser- 
vice. 

Brown,  John,  2d,  son  of  John,  1st,  m.  Rebekah  Baldwin, 
1757;  and  had  Samuel,  b.  Jnne  1,  1758;  Lydia,  b.  May  12, 
1760.  He  is  mentioned  among  the  members  of  the  company 
that  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  was  severely 
wounded  in  that  engagement.  He  lived  in  the  south-west 
part  of  the  town,  where  Daniel  Mussy  lived.  He  removed  to 
Washington  County,  0.,  after  the  war;  and  d.  September, 
1821,  aged  eighty-eight. 

Of  the  numerous  families  of  Brown  above  mentioned,  no 
descendant  of  the  nam^  it  is  believed,  remains  in  Leices- 
ter. 

Bond,  Balet,  m.  Elizabeth  Hopkins,  1740;  and  had  Baley, 
b.  Oct.  26, 1740. 

The  families  of  this  name  came  to  Leicester  from  Be- 
verly. 

Bond,  Edward,  formerly  kept  the  tavern  which  stood  where 
H.  Knight,  Esq.,  lives,  and  was  burned  in  1767.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Experience.  Their  children  were  Edward,  b.  Dec. 
28,  1737.  Exjterience,  b.  Dec.  16,  1739.  Emma,  b.  1741  ; 
m.  Richard  Bond,  1768.  Benjamin,  b.  June  28, 1743.  Ahi^il, 
b.  May  16, 1745.  Jonathan.  He  lived  in  a house  which  stood 
where  Capt.  Gleason  recently  lived. 

Bond,  Bexjamtx,  1st,  son  of  above,  m.  Elizabeth,  dan.  of 
Nathaniel  Harrod,  1765;  and  had  Jacob,  b.  Dec.  2,  1766. 
Elizabeth,  b.  1763;  d.  unmarried.  Hannah:  m.  John  Sar- 
gent, formerly  of  Hubbardston.  Divid.  Georye.  Body  ; 
m.  John  Boice.  Benjamin,  jun.,  b.  1776.  Mr.  Bond  lived  in 
the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  in  a house  that  stood  near 


34S 


H15T0SY  or  LZICrSTZK. 


where  hi?  sen  G^^rsre  afterward?  Kved  and  died.  He  d. 
1S12.  aged  ?ixiy-5even:  hi?  wife  d.  the  same  year,  aged 
seventy. 

Bo>~d.  Jacob,  s-m  of  the  above,  lived,  for  5^?me  years  be- 
fore hi?  death,  in  a house  one  mile  north  of  the  Meeting-honse. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Hannah.  They  had  Jacob,  b.  Xov.  IS. 
1795.  S'jJkan  D..  b.  Jan.  1T9S.  X>jthanid,  b.  Jan.  3, 
IS 00.  b.  April  6,  ISOT  ; and  a <dan..  who  married  a 

Clark.  Ja(X)b  lives  in  Oxford.  The  :^ther  d.  May  *20,  1S3S, 
age^d  seventy^ne. 

BryjAYiy.  jnn..  brother  of  above,  m.  Betsey,  of  Kil- 
lingiy,  Conn. : and  had  (Mirer  B.,  b.  April  10,  1S06.  He 
smdied  me^dieine : but  d..  Just  as  he  was  commencing  prac- 
tice. Sept.  11.  1S32.  Wuliam,  b.  Feb.  13,  IS  10.  Seirall  B., 
b.  Aug.  12.  1S12 : a merchant  in  Boston.  Mr.  Bond  lived 
in  the  house  with  his  &ther.  He  d.  July  4, 1S13,  aged  thirty- 
seven. 

Bo 50.  JoHx,  m.  Lydia  Graves,  January,  1740:  and  had  John, 
2'd.  b,  Jan.  S,  1741.  Jacob,  b.  Jan.  IS,  1743.  Ephraim,  b. 
Dec.  3.  174^).  Mr.  H:nd  d.  Feb.  4.  1S02.  aged  ninety-two. 

Boxn,  Jo5atha5.  son  of  Edward,  m.  Sally  Crossman,  and 
lived  where  Silas  Glea&jn.  Esq.,  lately  lived.  Their  children 
were  yarncy.  Edvoard,  Cynthia.  Jonathan,  jun.,  — a well- 
knewn  musician.  — m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Elijah  Warren:  re- 
moved to  the  State  of  Xew  York.  Hannah.  Mr.  Bond  died  of 
an  injury,  which  rendered  the  amputation  of  his  foot  neces- 
sary. July,  IS  10. 

B<D5I>,  BE5JA3CI5,  2d.  lived  on  the  Oxford  Read,  one  mile 
s-outh  of  the  village,  in  a house  next  to  the  one  recently  occu- 
piei  by  Capt.  Silas  Gleason.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mary. 
Their  children  were  Benjamin.  Bichard,  b.  Dec.  11,  1747. 
Mary,  b.  Dec.  25.  1755 : m.  Daniel  Tenny : d.  1S06.  Eliza- 
heik,  b.  175S:  d.  unmarried,  1S13  : known  to  aU  as  “Aunt 
Betty : " and  in  the  notice  of  her  death,  in  the  “ Massachu- 
setts Spy,"  it  is  said,  “ She  was  justly  endeared  to  each  of 


HISTORY  OF  LEICXSTEE.. 


349 


her  acquaintance  for  her  many  virtues  and  amiable  qualities.^ 
Thomas  and  Baley.  He  built  the  house  in  which  he  lived. 

Boxd,  Eichabd.  sen  of  above,  lived  in  a house,  a little  north 
of  where  Mr.  Eber  Bond  lives  (on  the  Oxford  Rrjad  ),  which  he 
built  in  1768.  He  m.  Emma.  dau.  of  Edward  Bond,  1768: 
and  had  Experience,  b.  May  2, 1769,  who  d-  unmarried,  1825. 
Potty,  b.  March  6,  1770 ; m.  Amos  Wliittemore.  William, 
b.  March  1,  1773:  removed  to  Jamaica.  Tt.  Biehard,  jun., 
b-  Xov.  1, 1774.  Eher,  b.  1784;  m.  Minerva  Stetson,  and  has 
a family  of  chfldren  now  living.  Lydia,  b.  1778;  and  Sally, 
b.  1781,  <L  1759.  Mr.  Bond  was  a shoe-manufacturer.  He 
d.  Sept,  17,  1819,  a^ed  seventy-two. 

Bond,  Eichabd,  jun.,  son  of  above,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of 
Carey  Howard,  who  Kved  where  Mr.  Amc»s  Whinemore  died, 
on  the  Charlton  Ec*ad.  They  had  Jeremiah,  b.  Oct,  6, 1800; 
lives  in  Worcester.  Lcmisa,  b.  Jan.  15, 1799;  m.  Eev.  Otis 
Converse.  Xarcissa,  b.  April  21,  1803;  m.  a Colly er  of  Troy, 
y.Y.  Zephaniah,  b.  Feb.  23,  1805;  now  lives  in  Pennsylva- 
nia- Mary,  b.  April  9,  1807 ; m.  Hastings  Bridges.  Carey, 
b.  Dec.  6, 1809 ; d.  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  Lydia,  m.  Dex- 
ter Trask;  b.  March  28,  1814.  Mr.  Bond  lived  a little  east 
of  the  house  of  the  late  John  King,  Esq.  His  wife  d.  1832: 
he  d.  1838. 

Boxd,  Thomas,  son  of  Benjamin,  2d:  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  James 
Harrcd,  1779;  and  had  Samud,h.  April  2,1784.  Benjamin, 
b.  June  29,  1787.  Eli,  b.  July  28,  1790.  Baity,  b.  March  28, 
1794.  Maria,  b.  Feb.  23, 1799. 

Mr.  Bond  lived  at  the  north  foot  of  the  Livermore  Hill, 
where  Joshua  Lamb,  Esq.,  has  recently  lived.  He  removed 
to  Lanesborough. 

Bond,  Baley,  son  of  Benjamin,  2d:  m.  Elizabeth  Charles 
of  Brimfield,  1780;  and  had  Charles,  b.  Feb.  18, 1781.  Johtn, 
b.  April  18,  1783.  Linus,  b.  Aug.  28,  1785. 

Mr.  Bond,  with  his  family,  removed  to  Brimfield. 

Blaib.  William.  His  wife's  name  was  Jane:  and  his  chil- 


350 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


dren  were  Sarali^  b.  March  18,  1745.  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  21, 
1746. 

Babbit,  Samuel.  His  first  wife’s  name  was  Abigail.  Thej 
had  Abigail,  b.  Sept.  8,  1762.  His  second,  Bathsheba;  and 
they  had  Silas,  b.  Oct.  1,  1764.  Sanford,  b.  Dec.  17,  1765. 

Baldwin,  Stephen,  m.  Elizabeth  Baldwin,  1759  ; and  had 
Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  8,  1760.  Step1ien,h.  Oct.  26, 1761.  Samuel, 
b.  April  4,  1765,  and  m.  Rebekah  Green.  James,  b.  June  20, 
1767.  John,  b.  June  25,  1769. 

Baldwin,  Ebenezer,  m.  Phebe  Baldwin,  1772  ; and  had  Phe- 
he,  b.  Dec.  7,  1774.  Winnifred,  b.  Aug.  18,  1776.  Mary,  b. 
Aug.  26,  1778.  Rebekah,  b.  Jan.  22,  1781.  Ebenezer,  b.  May 
31, 1783.  James,  b.  March  3,  1787.  Aaron,h.  June  25, 1789. 

Baldwin,  James.  His  wife’s  name  was  Lucinda.  They  had 
Lucy,  b.  April  16,  1807.  John  S.,  b.  Sept.  26,  1808. 

Baldwin,  Benjamin.  His  wife’s  name  was  Betsey  ; and  had 
Roxana,  b.  Dec.  15, 1811.  Horace,  b.  Nov.  24,  1813.  Nancy, 
b.  April  17,  1816.  Dexter,  b.  Sept.  2,  1818. 

Bell,  Aaron.  The  name  of  his  wife  was  Isabel.  They 
had  Mary,  b.  March  19, 1721.  Martha,  b.  April  1, 1724.  Eli- 
zur,  b.  July  8,  1726.  Sarah,  b.  July  4,  1728.  He  lived 
where  there  is  now  a cellar,  south  of  Mr.  Robert  Young’s. 

Capen,  Samuel,  came  from  Dorchester  and  settled  in  Leices- 
ter about  1733,  and  remained  there  about  five  years,  when 
he  removed  to  Spencer.  His  wife’s  name  was  Deborah.  His 
children,  born  in  Leicester,  were  Samuel,  b.  March  14,  1734. 
Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  14,  1735  ; d.  March,  1735.  John,  b.  May  1, 
1737.  Hannah,  b.  May  22,  1739.  Edmond,  b.  July  16,  1740. 

Call,  Samuel,  m.  Mehitabel  Green,  dau.  of  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Green,  in  1746.  He  came  from  Malden.  His  children,  born 
in  Leicester,  w^ere  Samuel,  b.  Oct.  12,  1754.  Mary,h.  Nov.  4. 
1756.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  25,  1758.  Amos,  b.  Dec.  9,  1759. 
Winnifred,  b.  June  4,  1761. 

Mr.  Call  came  from  Louisburg,  Cape  Breton,  to  Leicester,  at 
the  time  of  his  marriage. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


351 


Choate,  Isaac,  came  from  Ipswich  in  1773.  He  was  a tan- 
ner, and  lived  upon  the  Elliot  Farm,  so  called,  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town.  His  wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  They  had  Mary, 
b.  Feb.  10, 1772.  /aco5,  b.  Dec.  20,  1773.  His  second  wife’s 
name  was  Patty  Craige,  dau.  of  Dr.  Robert  Craige.  They  had 
Hannah,  h.  Jan.  26,  1785.  Polly,  horn  Nov.  15,1787.  George, 
b.  July  1,  1789. 

Mr.  Choate  was  a deacon  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
He,  with  his  brother  Francis,  emigrated  to  the  West.  An 
account  of  their  being  made  prisoners  by  the  Indians  will  be 
found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Choate,  Francis,  brother  of  the  above,  was  a cordwainer, 
and  lived  on  the  same  place  with  his  brother.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Betsey  Lyon,  m.  1780  ; and  they  had  Sally,  b.  April 
20,1782.  Susannah,  b.  March  20,  1784.  John,  b.  March  6, 
1786.  Betsey,  b.  May  18,  1788.  Polly,  b.  Nov.  26,  1790. 
Francis,  b.  Dec.  9,  1792. 

Choate,  Jonathan.  His  wife’s  name  was  Lois ; and  had 
Lois,  b.  Oct.  6,  1792. 

Cerley,  Joseph,  m.  Sarah,  sister  of  Col.  Seth  Washburn, 
Feb.  7,  1750;  and  had  Joseph,  b.  Dec.  7,  1751.  Hannah,  b. 
May  26,  1753.  Sarah,  b.  April  3,  1754. 

Mr.  Cerley  removed  to  Whitingham,  Yt. ; and  d.  1817. 

Conklin,  Benjamin,  Rev.,  m.  Lucretia  Lawton,  1769;  and 
had  Joseph,  b.  April  25,  1770.  Benjamin,  jun.,  b.  May  28, 
1772.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  20,  1774  ; m.  William  Harris. 

Conklin,  Benjamin,  Jun.,  m.  Rebekah  Browning  of  Rutland  ; 
and  had  Lucretia,  b.  Aug.  8,  1795;  Benjamin;  Austin  F. ; 
George  B.;  and  Henry,  now  of  Worcester.  Lucretia  m.  Wil- 
liam Hatch  ; Benjamin  m.  Hannah  Woodcock. 

Cutting,  Darius,  came  from  Rutland ; was  the  son  of  Abra- 
ham. He  m.  Sally  Waite,  September,  1789;  and  had  Lewis, 
I b.  Jan.  2,  1790;  who  m.  Rebekah,  dau.  of  John  Sargent,  and 
i removed  to  Worcester.  He  now  lives  in  West  Boylston.  Ab- 
salom, b.  Jan.  29,  1792.  Alice,  m.  D^iniel  Hastings,  1817,  and 


I 


352 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


removed  to  Petersham.  Eliza,  m.  Elijah  H.  Trowbridge,  1818, 
and  removed  to  the  western  part  of  New  York.  Charles, 
b.  July  6,  1801 ; d.  1859,  unmarried.  William  D.,  b.  Jan.  2, 
1804.  George,  b.  May  11, 1806.  Sarah  Ann,  b.  Nov.  14, 1810. 
Otis,  b.  Jan.  23,  1813. 

Capt.  Cutting  once  commanded  one  of  the  military  compa- 
nies of  the  town.  He  was  by  trade  a hatter,  and  carried  on 
his  business  in  a shop  next  west  of  the  tavern,  and  near  the 
house  which  he  built,  and  is  now  standing.  After  that  (about 
1807)  he  removed  to  Cherry  Valley,  where  he  lived  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  died  Sept.  18,  1830,  aged  sixty-six. 
He  was  a man  of  much  pleasantry  and  good-humor,  and  was 
esteemed  by  his  neighbors  and  friends. 

Craige,  Robert,  Dr.,  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Dr.  Thomas  Green, 
in  1753;  and  had  Nathan,  b.  June  11,  1754.  He  m.  Sarah, 
dau.  of  Francis  Choate ; is  noticed  among  the  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution ; lived  a considerable  part  of  his  life  in  Spencer, 
near  the  line  of  Leicester,  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  town ; 
and  died  April  2,  1852,  aged  almost  ninety-eight,  — a man  of 
great  worth  and  respectability  : his  son  lives  upon  what  was 
once  the  farm  of  Jonathan  Newhall;  his  daughter, was  the 
wife  of  Mr.  Samuel  Watson.  Olive,  born  Dec.  24,  1755. 
David,  b.  Oct.  16,  1757.  Jemima,  born  Sept.  19,  1759 ; 
m.  Joseph  Bemis.  Ahijah,  b.  July  3,  1761;  removed  to  Au- 
burn. Martha,  b.  April  4,  1763;  m.  Isaac  Choate.  Amos, 
b.  March  23,  1765.  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  26,  1766;  m.  Samuel 
Stone  of  Oxford.  Esther,  b.  Dec.  27,  1768. 

Dr.  Craige  is  noticed  among  the  physicians  of  the  town. 
He  lived  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  where  his  son  Amos 
afterwards  lived,  and  where,  after  giving  up  the  practice  of 
medicine,  he  manufactured  spinning-wheels.  He  d.  1805,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five.  Some  persons  may  recall  him  as  a 
seemingly  old  man,  who  used  to  attend  meeting,  and,  on 
account  of  his  defect  in  hearing,  sat  in  the  pulpit  on  Sun- 
days. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


353 


Craige,  Amos,  son  of  the  above,  lived  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town ; and  d.  in  1843,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  He  was 
a farmer.  His  wife’s  name  was  Phebe.  Their  children  were 
John,  b.  May  6,  1800.  Eliza,  b.  Sept.  18,  1803. 

Converse,  Josiah.  His  first  wife’s  name  was  Hannah. 
They  had  Sarah,  b.  November,  1729.  His  second  wife  was 
Eleanor  Richardson,  m.  1732.  They  had  Mary,  b.  July  17, 
1733.  Eleanor,  b.  March  21,  1734. 

The  original  Converse  families,  it  is  understood,  came  from 
Woburn  to  Leicester.  The  next  in  order  (John)  is  known  to 
have  come  from  there.  He  removed  to  Brookfield. 

Converse,  John.  His  wife’s  name  was  Abigail.  They  had 
Benjamin,  b.  May  20,  1732.  Luke,  b.  Oct.  6,  1734.  Bohert, 
b.  April  20,  1737.  Abigail,  b.  March  5,  1739.  He  m.  Mary 
Damon,  1751 ; and  had  Phebe,  b.  March  22,  1752.  Daniel, 
b.  March  2, 1754.  Deliverance,  b.  Oct.  3, 1756  ; d.  1759.  Eli- 
jah, b.  Sept.  27,  1759.  _ 

Mr.  Converse  was  a blacksmith,  and  came  from  Woburn,  as 
above  stated. 

Converse,  Benjamin,  son  of  John,  m.  Prudence  Harrington 
of  Spencer  (1754) ; and  had  Phinehas,  b.  Dec.  15, 1754.  Abiel, 
b.  March  26,  1756.  Abraham,  b.  Dec.  31,  1757. 

Mr.  Converse  lived  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town, 
where  he  built  the  house  afterwards  occupied  by  Azariah 
Eddy,  but  now  taken  down. 

Converse,  Luke,  son  of  John,  m.  Ruth  Lamb  of  Spencer 
(1759);  and  had  Lydia,  b.  Feb.  10,  1760.  Jude,  b.  May  17, 
1762.  Ruth,  b.  Oct.  31,  1764.  Patience,  b.  March,  1767. 
Reuben,  b.  April  25,  1769.  Esther,  b.  Nov.  20,  1771.  Asagoh, 
b.  April  22, 1774.  Tamar,  b.  Aug.  29, 1776.  Uriah,  b.  March 
13,  1779. 

Mr.  Converse  at  one  time  lived  in  Charlton,  afterwards  in 
Spencer;  and,  for  several  years  before  his  death,  lived  in  the 
house  west  of  the  mills  at  the  Burncoat  Pond,  which  he  ma- 
naged. He  d.  June  10,  1810,  aged  seventy-six. 

45 


354 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


CoxYERSE,  Robert,  son  of  John,  m.  Sarah  Newton,  May  24, 
1762;  had  D'lnali^  b.  Sept.  29,  1762.  Jonas,  b.  Oct.  6,  1764. 

Converse,  Joshua,  m.  Mehitabel  Wicker,  1772;  and  had 
Francis ; Chloe ; Henry, 

Mr.  Converse  lived  near  the  house  where  George  Bond 
lived,  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  where  there  is  now' 
a cellar ; the  house  having  long  since  disappeared. 

Converse,  Reuben,  had  Silas,  b.  July  17,  1801.  Pamela, 
b.  July  12,  1803.  Thomas  W.,  b.  Feb.  10,  1805. 

Clark,  Uriah,  came  to  Leicester  from  Watertown.  He 
married  Ruth  Hastings;  and  had  Mary,  b.  Aug.  25,  1744. 
Uriah,  b.  Aug.  10,  1746.  Ruth,  b.  April  23,  1748.  Thomas 
and  Richard,  b.  July  7,  1750.  Uriah,  b.  Aug.  29,  1752.  Re- 
hekah,  b.  Oct.  12,  1754.  Daniel,  b.  Dec.  31,  1756. 

Mr.  Converse’s  sister,  Joanna,  m.  James  Lawton  of  Leices- 
ter. 

Damon,  Daniel.  His  wife’s  name  was  Deliverance.  They 
had  Daniel,  b.  June  9,  1734.  Mary,  b.  April  26,  1736.  Eli- 
jah, b.  July  31,  1738. 

Mr.  Damon  lived  in  the  north  part  of  the  towm,  on  the 
estate  owned  by  Amasa  Southwick.  He  owned  land  bound- 
ing upon  Tea  Lane  ” (so  called).  Deliverance  Damon  — wLo, 
I suppose,  was  his  widow  — m.  Robert  Woodward  in  1743. 

Denny,  Daniel,  was  the  common  ancestor  of  all  of  the 
name  in  Leicester.  His  removal  to  Leicester  is  mentioned  in 
another  part  of  this  work.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Prince  — the 
annalist  of  New  England,  and  minister  of  the  Old  South 
Church  in  Boston  — m.  Deborah,  sister  of  Mr.  Denny,  in 
Leicester.  They  came  from  Coombs,  England.  Mr.  Denny’s 
wife’s  name  was  Rebekah.  They  had  Thomas,  b.  March  19, 
1724;  wdio  is  spoken  of  in  this  w^ork.  Mary,  b.  April  22; 
1727  ; m.  Nathan  Sargent,  1750.  Rebekah,  b.  April  10,  1729  ; 
m.  John  Lynde,  1755.  Samuel,  b.  May  20,  1731.  Sarah,  b. 
May  5,  1733. 

Mr.  Denny’s  brother  — Major  Denny  ” — settled  in 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


355 


Maine ; became  a prominent  citizen  there : at  his  death,  was 
the  Chief- Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the 
County  of  Lincoln. 

Denny,  Thomas,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Tabitha  Cutler  of 
Grafton  (1752);  and  had  Daniel,  b.  July  22,  1753;  d.  1754. 
Mr.  Denny  m.,  for  his  second  wife,  Mary  Storrs  of  Pomfret ; 
and  had  Thomas,  b.  May  15,  1757.  31ary,  b.  April  17,  1758; 
m.  Joseph  Sargent,  father  of  Col.  Henry.  Tamison,  b.  Sept.  15, 
1760  ; m.  Peter  Webb,  Esq.,  of  Windham,  Conn.,  1783  ; mother 
of  Mrs.  Isaac  Southgate,  and  Thomas  Webb,  Esq.  (a  lawyer 
in  Warren,  0.). 

Mr.  Denny  was  a prominent  patriot  in  the  Province,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  Revolution,  and  is  noticed  in  this  work.  He 
lived  upon  the  Denny  Farm,  which  had  been  his  father’s. 

Denny,  Thomas,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Lucretia,  dau.  of 
Phinehas  Sargent  (1791);  and  had  Maria,  b.  May  16,  1793; 
m.  James  Smith,  Esq.,  who  is  mentioned  in  another  part  of 
this  work,  and  now  lives*in  Philadelphia,  — a wealthy,  public- 
spirited,  and  influential  gentleman.  Lucretia,  b.  January, 
1795;  m.  Mr.  Charles  Bertody,  an  accomplished  ship-master 
in  the  India  trade : he  retired  from  this  several  years  before 
his  death,  and  was  living  in  New  York;  where,  having  busi- 
ness in  one  of  the  West-India  Islands,  he  sailed  thence ; but 
was  lost,  on  his  return  voyage,  at  sea,  — the  vessel  never  hav- 
ing been  heard  from ; his  life  was  one  of  singular  incident 
and  peril  in  the  prosecution  of  his  profession;  he  had  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him ; he  left  four 
children.  Thomas,  b.  June  29,  1797 ; was  a cadet,  educated 
at  West  Point;  and  died  in  Virginia,  while  engaged  upon  a 
public  work.  Adaline,  b.  Nov.  26,  1799;  m.  Rev.  Elizur  G. 
Smith  of  Ogdensburg  (1830),  where  she  d.  Sarah,  b.  May  26, 
1802 ; m.  Col.  James  W.  Ripley,  of  the  United-States  Army 
(1824).  Phinehas  S.,  b.  Nov.  15,  1804.  After  the  death  of  his 
brother,  he  took  the  name  of  Thomas;  graduated  at  Harvard 
in  1823,  and  resides  in  New- York  City. 


356 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Col.  Denny  is  among  those  who  are  spoken  of  more  at 
length  in  the  body  of  this  Avork. 

Denny,  Samuel,  son  of  Daniel ; m.  Elizabeth,  dan.  of  Daniel 
HenshaAv  and  sister  of  Col.  William,  1757.  He  lived  in  the 
north-west  part  of  the  town,  near  Moose  Hill.  He  was  an 
officer  in  the  Revolutionary  service,  and  is  noticed  in  the  body 
of  this  work.  Their  children  were  Daniel,  b.  Aug.  6,  1758; 
m.  Nancy,  dau.  of  MattheAv  Watson,  1783  ; and  lived  in  Cherry 
Valley  till  after  the  birth  of  Elizabeth  and  Daniel,  when  he 
removed  to  Worcester.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  1,  1760  ; m.  Tho- 
mas W.  Ward,  Esq.,  of  ShreAvsbury.  Samuel,  b.  April  21, 
1762;  early  went  to  Ohio;  afterwards  lived  and  died  in 
Oakham.  David,  b.  Jan.  7,  1764;  removed  to  Vermont. 
Isaac,  b.  Nov.  27,  1765;  removed  to  Vermont:  his  widow 
m.  John  Sargent,  and  d.  1859.  William,  b.  Sept.  17,  1767. 
Sally,  b.  May  23,  1769;  m.  Stephen  Harris,  who  afterwards 
moved  to  Norfolk,  Va.,  Avhere  he  left  a family  : his  son  Charles 
is  an  enterprising  and  public-spirited  gentleman  of  that  city. 
Thomas,  b.  July  21,  1771 ; afterwards  took  the  name  of  Na- 
thaniel P.,  and  is  noticed  in  this  work.  Polly,  b.  Aug.  21, 1773  ; 
m.  Rev.  Mr.  Miles  of  Orafton.  Josejyh,  b.  April  2,  1777. 

Mr.  Denny  m.  a second  Avife,  Phoebe  Rich,  in  1794;  and  a 
third,  in  1809, — Sarah  Meriam. 

Denny,  William,  son  of  the  aboAm,  m.  Patty  Smith  of  Paxton, 
1788  ; and  had  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  10, 1789  ; m.  Col.  Henry  Sar- 
gent. John  A.,  b.  April  30, 1791 ; IHes  in  the  Avest  part  of  the 
toAvn.  Mary,  b.  Mar.  4,  1795  ; m.  Aaron  Morse,  Avho  formerly 
kept  the  hotel  opposite  the  Meeting-house;  removed  to  Noav 
Haven.  Charles,  b.  April  6, 1793  ; m.  Miss  Sibley  of  Spencer ; 
Avas  engaged  in  trade  in  Leicester,  and  died  there. 

Mr.  Denny  m.,  for  his  second  Avife,  Ruth,  dau.  of  Reuben 
SAvan;  and  had  Martha,  b.  Aug.  11,  1798;  d.  unmarried. 
Horace,  b.  April  2,  1800  ; d.  under  age  of  twenty-one.  Caro- 
line, b.  Dec.  10,  1801 ; d.,  unmarried,  1859.  William,  b.  Dec. 
23,1803;  d.  in  infancy.  Julia  Ann,  b.  Oct.  22,1805;  m.  Tho- 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


357 


mas  Gilbert  of  North  Brookfield.  William,  b.  Aug.  8,  1807 ; 
died  young.  Catherine,  m.  Charles  E.  Miles,  and  lives  in 
Worcester.  Rachel  S.,  b.  Aug.  21,  1809  ; m.  Mr.  Ayers  of 
North  Brookfield. 

Mr.  Denny  m.,  for  his  third  wife,  Mrs.  Upham,  widow  of 
Barnard  Upham,  in  1827.  He  kept  a tavern  for  many  years 
in  a house  standing  where  Capt.  H.  Knights  lives.  After 
selling  that,  he  removed  to  Spencer.  He  d.  in  North  Brook- 
field. 

Denny,  Nathaniel  P.,  son  of  Samuel,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Reu- 
ben Swan,  Nov.  18,  1798  ; and  had  Sarah,  b.  July  21,  1799. 
Marcia,  b.  July  13,  1802;  m.  Alfred  Willard,  Esq.;  removed 
to  and  lives  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Edioard,  b.  May  19,  1806  ; 
is  a manufacturer  in  Barre  ; has  been  a member  of  the  Execu- 
tive Council.  Lucia,  b.  June  10,  1808  ; m.  Joshua  Clapp,  a 
merchant  and  extensive  manufacturer,  from  whom  the  village 
of  Clappville  took  its  name  : he  d.  in  Boston,  leaving  a family 
of  children ; she  lives  in  Cambridge.  Andrew,  b.  April  30, 
1812;  is  a physician  in  Alabama.  Reuben  S.,  b.  June  22, 
1814 ; has  been  an  extensive  woollen  manufacturer  in  Clapp- 
ville: he  now  lives  there.  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  26,  1819;  was  a 
merchant  in  Boston,  and  d.  unmarried. 

Mr.  Denny  m.,  for  his  second  wife,  Mary  Denny  of  Worces- 
ter. He  soon  after  removed  to  Norwich,  Conn. ; and  d.  in 
Barre. 

Denny,  Joseph,  son  of  Samuel,  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Col. 
William  Henshaw ; and  had  Theodore  V.,  b.  Feb.  21,  1800; 
went  to  Indiana,  m.  and  had  a family,  and  d.  there.  Catharine 
H.,  b.  July  25, 1801  ; m.  Otis  Sprague  ; removed  to  the  West ; 
lives  in  Milwaukie.  Henry  A.,  b.  Oct.  10,  1802;  m.  Eliza  E. 
Sprague,  dau.  of  Capt.  William,  1825:  now  lives  in  Worces- 
ter. Joseph  A.,  b.  May  13,  1804;  m.  Mary  Davis  of  Rutland ; 
lives  in  Leicester;  an  acting  magistrate;  has  represented  bis 
district  in  the  Legislature,  and  is  one  of  the  most  active  and 
public-spirited  citizens  of  the  town.  Lucinda  II. , b.  April  3, 


358 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1806.  Christopher  Cl,  b.  Jan.  10,  1813.  Phebe  ^.,  b.  June  4, 
1815. 

Mr.  Denny  m.,  for  his  second  wife,  Lucinda,  dau.  of  Col. 
William  Henshaw  ; and  had  Sarah  H.j  b.  Feb.  10,  1817.  Har- 
riet F.,  b.  Dec.  13,  1818.  Elizabeth  H,  b.  April  12,  1821. 

After  Mr.  Denny’s  death,  his  widow,  in  1825,  m.  Samuel 
Daugherty,  and  removed  to  Belchertown.  Mr.  Denny  was  a 
card  manufacturer,  and  lived  in  the  western  part  of  the  vil- 
lage, where  Mr.  John  Loring  lives.  He  was  an  active  citizen  ; 
for  several  years  deputy-sherilf ; and  died  in  the  midst  of  his 
usefulness. 

Dcnbar,  John.  His  wife’s  name  was  Abigail.  Their  chil- 
dren : Lucy,  b.  April  26,  1741  ; m.  Thomas  Parker,  jun., 
of  Charlton.  Sarah,  b.  Aug.  30,  1744;  m.  Samuel  Parker  of 
Charlton.  Nabby,  b.  April  10,  1746;  m.  Phinehas  Sargent, 
1772.  David,  b.  Feb.  22,  1747  ; m.  Hannah  Hammond,  1773; 
Thomas,  b.  Aug.  1,  1750;  d.  May,  1796.  Abner,  b.  April  9, 
1753. 

Mr.  Dunbar  d.  March,  1802,  aged  ninety-two.  He  lived 
in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town,  where  John  Silvester 
lived. 

Dunbar,  Thomas,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Lucretia  Smith ; 
and  had  Thomas,  b.  Feb.  11,  1774.  Nancy,  b.  Dec.  25,  1775. 
James,  b.  Sept.  19,  1779.  Betsey,  b.  Jan.  29,  1782.  Chloe, 
b.  Jan.  29, 1784.  Lucretia,  b.  Jan.  13, 1786.  Lucy,  b.  Oct.  28, 
1789. 

Mr.  Dunbar  d.  ^lay  4,  1796,  aged  forty-five.  His  widow 
m.  Jonas  Lamb  of  Spencer,  Aug.  25,  1803.  Mr.  Dunbar  kept 
a tavern  in  the  house  opposite  the  Mower  House,  Mount 
Pleasant. 

Dunbar,  Abner,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Warren,  Mar.  31, 
1774  ; and  had  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  3,  1774  ; d.  unmarried. 
Ebenezer,  b.  March  29,  1777  ; now  lives  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town,  east  of  Clappville.  Lydia,  b.  May  6,  1779;  m.  Da- 
vid Legg,  1804.  Abigail,  h.  April  9, 1782.  Simeon,  h.  Oct.  27, 


i 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


359 


1785.  Polly,  h.  Oct.  5,  1791  ; m.  Artemas  Haven,  1814.  Da- 
niel, b.  June  13,  1794;  went  to  New  York. 

Mr.  Dunbar  was  a mason  by  trade. 

Dix,  Benjamin.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mebitabel.  Their 
children  : Elijah,  b.  March  5,  1744.  Eunice,  b.  July  4,  1747. 
Sarah,  b.  April  7,  1750.  Lois,  b.  Sept.  24,  1751.  Joseph, 
b.  July  7, 1753.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  20, 1754.  Hannah,  b.  Sept. 
21,  1759.  He  lived  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  on 
what  is  called  Dix  Hill;  and  came  originally  from  Water- 
town. 

Earle,  . Ralph,  was  the  ancestor  of  the  families  of  the 
name  in  Leicester.  He  came  from  Rhode  Island  in  1717,  and 
d.  in  1757.  He  m.  Mary  Hicks,  and  had  William.  Elizabeth, 
m.  Job  Lawton  of  Newport.  John,  b.  Feb.  24,  1694;  lived  in 
Swansea.  Eohert,  b.  1706.  Mary,  m.  Sheffield.  Benjamin. 
Patience,  m.  Benjamin  Richardson. 

Mr.  Earle  settled  in  tlm  north  part  of  the  town,  and  lived 
where  Gardner  Wilson  now  lives. 

Earle,  William,  son  of  above,  m.  Annah  Howard;  and 
had  William,  b.  April  27,  1714.  Elizabeth,  b.  May  12,  1716; 
m.  John  Potter.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  28,  1719  ; m.  James  Lawton, 
jun.  David,  b.  Aug.  16,  1721.  Judith,  b.  Aug.  11,  1723;  m. 
George  Cutting.  Italph,  b.  Nov.  13,  1726.  John,  b.  March  1, 
1729. 

Mr.  Earle  came  to  Leicester  with  his  father,  and  lived  at 
one  time  on  the  Amasa  South  wick  Place ; then  on  the  Abel 
Green  Place  ; afterwards  removed  to  Shrewsbury. 

Earle,  Robert,  son  of  Ralph,  m.,  for  his  first  wife,  Mary 
Newhall;  and  had  Martha,  b.  Nov.  3,  1726;  m.  David  Earle, 
and  afterwards  Hezekiah  Ward,  1768.  Nathan,  b.  May  12, 
1728;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Richardson.  Mary, 
b.  Aug.  10,  1730;  m.  Jonathan  Sargent.  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  18, 
1732;  m.  John  Whittemore.  George,  b.  March  3,  1735. 
Thomas,  b.  Aug.  27,  1737.  Esek,  b.  Feb.  10,  1741.  Bobert, 
b.  Oct.  10,  1743.  Lydia,  b.  Aug.  15,  1746;  m.  John  Wilson. 


360 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Marmadukej  b.  March  8,  1749.  For  his  second  wife,  he  m. 
Hepsibah  Johnson ; and  had  Phebe^  b.  Dec.  22, 1756.  Timothy , 
b.  March  13,  1739. 

Mr.  Earle  came  to  Leicester  with  his  father;  owned  and 
lived  upon  the  Mulberry-Grove  Place.  George  was  a captain 
in  the  Revolutionary  service.  He,  with  Nathan  and  Esek, 
removed  to  Vermont.  Timothy  died  in  the  service  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  Marmaduke  lived  in  Paxton. 

Earle,  Benjamin,  son  of  Ralph,  m.  Abigail  Newhall;  and 
had  Newhall,  b.  March  15,  1735 ; Antipas,  b.  June  1,  1737. 
John,  b.  Nov.  18,  1740.  Gardiner,  b.  Feb.  21,  1744.  Mr. 
Earle  lived  on  his  father’s  homestead.  Newhall  removed  to 
Vermont,  1774. 

Earle,  William,  2d,  son  of  William,  1st,  m.  Mary  Cutting; 
and  had  John,  b.  Dec.  3,  1740.  Lois,  b.  Jan.  25,  1743 ; 
m.  Nathan  Whittemore.  Oliver,  b.  March  21,  1745.  Reuben, 
b.  May  8,  1747.  Jabez,  b.  Jan.  7,  1754.  James,  b.  April  10, 
1757.  Joel,  b.  July  6,  1759. 

Mr.  Earle  built  and  lived  where  his  son  Capt.  James  lived, 
a short  distance  north  of  where  Pliny  Earle  lived.  He  d. 
1805,  aged  ninety-one.  John  removed  to  New  York;  Oliver, 
to  Vermont;  Reuben  went  to  New  York;  and  Joel,  to  Hub- 
bardston.  Mr.  Earle  was  a remarkably  active  man,  and  rode 
on  horseback  the  day  before  he  died. 

Earle,  Ralph,  son  of  William,  1st,  m.  Phebe  Whittemore; 
and  had  Ralph,  b.  May  11,  1751;  distinguished  as  a painter, 
and  noticed  in  the  body  of  this  work.  Clark,  b.  April  17, 
1753;  lived  in  Paxton;  was  in  Capt.  Phinehas  Moore’s  com- 
pany of  minute-men  in  1775.  James,  also  an  artist;  noticed 
in  this  work. 

Capt.  Earle  commanded  a company  in  the  Revolutionary 
service.  He  lived  in  what  is  known  as  the  Joseph  Penniman 
Place,  in  Paxton. 

Earle,'  Thomas,  son  of  Robert,  1st,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of 
Nathaniel  Waite,  1760;  and  had  Asahel,  b.  Dec.  21,  1761. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


361 


Hannah,  m.  Joseph  Newhall.  William,  went  to  Baltimore  ; 
d.,  unmarried,  1799.  Sylvanus,  b.  March  28,  1773;  m.  Eunice 
Southgate,  and  removed  to  Ohio.  Winthrop,  b.  May  5,  1775. 
Electa,  b.  April  27,  1778;  m.  Luther  }\ye  of  New  Braintree. 
Betsey,  m.  Zenas  Studley.  Polly,  d.  1801. 

Mr.  Earle  resided  in  Cherry  Valley,  in  the  house  where  Mr. 
Heman  Burr  lives.  He  planted  the  fine  rows  of  sycamores 
that  stood  in  front  of  it,  on  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Lexington. 
He  was  distinguished  for  his  mechanical  skill  and  ingenuity. 
He  manufactured  a gun  of  exquisite  workmanship  for  Col. 
William  Henshaw,  in  1773 ; and  when  Col.  Henshaw  marched 
to  Cambridge,  in  1775,  he  took  it  into  the  service.  Here  it  fell 
under  the  observation  of  Gen.  Washington,  who  admired  it 
so  much,  that  he  ordered  one  of  the  same  pattern.  Mr.  Earle, 
having  completed  it,  loaded  and  primed  it,  and  placed  it  under 
water,  all  but  the  muzzle,  during  a night ; and,  taking  it  out 
in  the  morning,  discharged  it  as  if  it  had  just  been  loaded. 
He  carried  it  to  New  York,  where  the  army  then  lay,  and 
delivered  it  personally  to  Gen.  Washington  ; having  travelled 
the  distance  on  foot,  and  carried  it  upon  his  shoulder.  It 
received  great  commendation  for  its  perfection  of  workman- 
ship. 

Earle,  Robert,  son  of  Robert,  1st,  m.  Sarah  Hunt;  and 
had  Pliny,  b.  Dec.  17,  1762.  Jonah,  b.  Aug.  10,  1765.  Silas, 
b.  May  26,  1767.  Elizabeth,  b.  July  5,  1769 ; m.  David  Hoag. 
Persis,  b.  Sept.  19, 1771 ; m.  Edward  Halloch.  Henry,  b.  March 
13,  1774.  Lydia,  b.  Jan.  16,  1776;  m.  John  Fry  of  Bolton. 
Timothy,  b.  March  2,  1778.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  1,  1781 ; m.  Jona- 
than Fry  of  Bolton. 

Mr.  Earle  lived  a little  south  of  Pliny  Earle’s  house,  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town.  He  was  a man  of  great  integrity, 
and  much  respected ; and  the  regard  in  which  he  was  held 
was  indicated  by  the  friendly  title  by  which  he  was  generally 
known,  — Uncle  Robert.” 

Earle,  AntiPxIS,  son  of  Benjamin,  1st,  m.  Mercy  Slade; 

4G 


362 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


and  had  Benjamin,  b.  Sept.  27,  1761.  Slade,  b.  Nov.  22, 
1764.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  22,  1767 ; was  an  extensive  card 
manufacturer ; owned  the  place,  on  Mount  Pleasant,  where 
N.  P.  Denny,  Esq.,  afterw^ards  lived ; and  d.,  unmarried,  July  1, 
1813, — a man  of  active  enterprise,  and  success  in  business. 
Abigail,  b.  April  7,  1774;  m.  George  Read.  John,  b.  Oct.  13, 
1777  ; removed  to  Vermont. 

Mr.  Earle  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town,  about 
half  a mile  east  of  the  Gardner  Wilson  Place. 

Earle,  James,  son  of  William,  2d,  m.  Deborah  Sargent,  dau. 
of  Nathaniel;  had  Aaron,  b.  April  22,  1781.  Nathaniel, 
b.  July  23,  1783;  d.  1859,  in  Leicester.  Charlotte,  b.  May  3, 
1786  ; m.  Asa  Sargent.  Arnold,  b.  Nov.  7,  1788.  He  m. 
Lydia  Kelly ; was  by  trade  a hatter ; built  the  house  now 
occupied  by  Denny  and  Bisco  for  a factory ; and  removed  to 
the  West.  Chanies,  b.  June  8,  1790;  lives  in  Worcester. 
Daniel,  b.  Jan.  11,  1793;  went  to  Ohio.  Reuben,  b.  Sept.  8, 
1795.  Homer,  b.  May  30,  1798;  studied  medicine,  and  set- 
tled in  Ohio,  — as  did  Reuben. 

Mr.  Earle  commanded  one  of  the  military  companies  in 
town  in  1794,  and  was  always  called  “ Captain.^^  He  was  a 
farmer ; upright,  and  respected  by  his  townsmen.  Aaron 
d.  1846.  He  lived  in  the  house  next  south  of  Amasa  South- 
wick’s. 

Earle,  Asahel,  son  of  Thomas,  m.  Persis  Newhall.  Had 
Clarissa,  b.  Sept.  29,  1786  ; m.  John  Thornton.  Melinda, 
b.  Feb.  28,  1788  ; d.  1815.  Austin,  b.  May  16,  1792.  Orma- 
cinda,  b.  Oct.  31,  1795;  d.  1839.  Adeline,  b.  April  8,  1798; 
m.  Gardner  Wilson.  Elvira,  b.  Sept.  5,  1800 ; m.  George 
Earle.  Louisa,  b.  Nov.  13,  1802;  d.  1819.  Lydia,  b.  Dec.  9, 
1805 ; d.  1828.  Austin  removed  to  Kentucky.  Mr.  Earle 
had  a good  deal  of  his  father’s  ingenuity  and  skill  in  me- 
chanism. He  lived  on  the  North-County  Road,  wRere  Mr. 
Knowlton  now  lives.  He  d.  April  9,  1837. 

Earle,  Winthrop,  son  of  Thomas,  m.  Persis  Bartlett,  and 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


363 


had  Almira,  b.  Mar.  1,  1800;  m.  William  Newhall.  Theodore, 
b.  Nov.  13,  1801 ; d.,  unmarried,  1822.  Otis  D.,  b.  July  23, 
1805  ; went  to  New  Haven  ; d.  unmarried,  Dec.  15,  1830. 
Winthrop,  b.  July  2,  1807 ; d.  Nov.  10,  1828. 

Mr.  Earle  was  an  active  business-man,  extensively  engaged 
as  a card-manufacturer ; much  respected ; and  his  early  death, 
in  1807,  was  greatly  lamented.  His  widow  m.  Alpheus  Smith. 
He  lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  Col.  Denny  House,  lately 
altered  by  Dr.  Daggett. 

Earle,  Pliny,  son  of  Robert,  jun.,  m.  Patience  Buffum, 
1793;  and  had  John  Milton,  b.  April  13,  1794;  has  been  a 
senator ; now  lives  in  Worcester.  Thomas,  b.  April  21, 1796  ; 
removed  to  Philadelphia;  was  a lawyer;  and  d.  there,  1849. 
Lydia,  b.  March  24,  1798  ; m.  Anthony  Chase,  Esq.,  of 
Worcester.  Sarah,  b.  April  8,  1800  ; m.  Charles  Hadwin  of 
Worcester.  William  B.,  b.  Dec.  20,  1802 ; now  lives  in  Bos- 
ton. Lucy,  b.  May  7,  1805.  Eliza,  b.  June  8,  1807 ; m.  Wil- 
liam E.  Hacker  of  Philadelphia.  Pliny,  b.  Dec.  31,  1809 ; 
a physician ; resides  in  Leicester. 

Mr.  Earle  is  noticed  in  other  parts  of  this  work.  He  was  at 
one  time  extensively  engaged,  in  connection  with  his  brother 
Jonah,  as  a card-manufacturer.  He  was  a man  of  much  intel- 
ligence. He  lived  where  Mr.  Billings  Mann  now  lives.  His 
wife  was  a woman  of  strong  and  cultivated  intellect,  and  their 
house  was  the  seat  of  a generous  hospitality.  The  daughter 
(Lucy)  and  the  son  (Dr.  Pliny)  alone  remain  of  the  family  in 
town.  Mr.  Earle  d.  1832  ; ^Irs.  Earle, -in  1849. 

Earle,  Jonah,  son  of  Robert,  jun.,  m.  Elizabetli  South- 
gate;  and  had  John  Potter,  b.  Nov.  11,  1795.  Nathaniel  P., 
b.  April  17,  1798 ; d.  May  17,  1853.  Amos  S.,  b.  April  22, 
1800  ; d.  January,  1853,  leaving  a family.  Rehekah  P.,  b.  May 
20,  1802;  m.  Joseph  Anthony. 

Mr.  Earle  lived  in  the  house  near  Mann  and  Marshall’s  fac- 
tory. He  was  a man  of  great  integrity  and  benevolence.  He 
d.  Jan.  21,  1846. 


364 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Ea.rle,  Silas,  son  of  Robert,  jnn.,  m.  Rachel  Thornton; 
and  had  Hannah^  b.  March  16,  1796;  m.  William  Keese  of 
Ausable,  N.Y. ; d.  1859.  Anna,  b.  Dec.  26,  1797  ; m.  Harvey 
Chase  of  Rhode  Island.  George,  b.  Jan.  17,  1800;  d.  1827. 
Mary,  b.  Feb.  9, 1802;  d.,  unmarried,  1835.  Elisha,  b.  April 
18,1804;  d.  1827.  i?o5er^,  b.  May  18, 1806  ; m.  Anna M.  Brown 
of  Salem,  and  now  resides  near  Philadelphia.  Eacliel,  b.  May 
11,  1808;  d.  1836.  Silas,  b.  March  29,  1806;  d.  1833.  Ste- 
phen, b.  April,  1813;  d.  1836.  Timothy,  b.  Aug.  14,1820; 
lives  in  Valley  Falls,  R.I.  Mr.  Farle  d.  in  1842.  He  built 
the  large  house  where  Mr.  Marshall  lives,  on  the  North- 
County  Road;  had  a large  farm,  and  carried  on  card-manu- 
facturing extensively  and  successfully,  by  which  he  accu- 
mulated a handsome  estate.  He  once  represented  the  town 
in  the  Legislature,  and  was  highly  esteemed  and  respected  in 
the  town.  None  of  the  family  remain  in  Leicester. 

Earle,  Henry,  son  of  Robert,  jun.,  m.  Martha  Aldrich  for 
his  first  wife,  and  had  one  child.  His  second  wife  was  Miriam 
Fry.  They  had  Narcissa,  b.  May  3,  1800 ; m.  George  Earle, 
and  afterwards  John  Mann.  3Ielisssa,  b.  April  1,  1803  ; 
m.  Natlian  Babcock,  and  afterwards  Blaney  Palmer.  Sarah, 
b.  April  8,  1805  ; m.  Reuben  Randall.  Henry  W.,  b.  1810. 
Mr.  Earle  m.  the  widow  of  Timothy  Earle  for  his  third  wife ; 
and  had  Timothy  K.  and  Thomas,  b.  Jan.  11, 1823.  Oliver  K., 
b.  Sept.  8,  1824.  All  of  whom  live  in  Worcester. 

Mr.  Earle  built  a large  house  upon  the  North-County  Road, 
west  of  the  Asahel  Earle  Place,  but  gave  it  up  several  years 
before  his  death.  He  d.  in  1837. 

Earle,  Timothy,  son  of  Robert,  jun.,  m.  Ruth  Keese  ; and 
had  Anna  K,,  b.  Oct.  12,  1806  ; m.  Samuel  H.  Colton,  of 
Worcester.  Edward,  b.  Feb.  10,  1811  ; lives  in  Worcester. 
Mary  B.,  b.  Feb.  5,  1819  ; m.  Jonathan  Slocum. 

Timothy  Earle  was  a card-manufacturer ; a man  of  active 
enterprise  and  energy.  He  lived  in  a large  house,  which  he 
built,  about  a quarter  of  a mile  south  of  Pliny  Earle’s.  He 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


365 


d.  in  1819,  in  the  midst  of  a prosperous  and  successful  busi- 
ness, at  the  age  of  forty-one. 

Earle,  Benjamin,  son  of  Antipas,  had  Slade,  b.  Aug.  9, 1802; 
d.  1849.  Benjamin,  b.  Aug.  6,  1804 ; lives  in  Leicester. 
Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  25, 1829 ; rn.  Cutler  Snow.  Mr.  Earle  lived 
several  years  upon  the  farm  now  belonging  to  the  town.  He 
d.  in  1834. 

Earle,  Slade,  m.  Elizabeth  Earle.  Had  Antipas,  jun. ; 
b.  Nov.  13,  1787 ; d.  April  30,  1828;  m.  Amy  Chase.  Joseph, 
b.  Dec.  28,  1788 ; m.  Lydia  Fowler.  Mary,  b.  June  29,  1791 ; 
m.  Smith  Arnold.  Waldo,  b.  Oct.  11,  1790;  m.  Sarah  Aldrich. 
All  except  Antipas  removed  early  from  Leicester : he  lived 
at  the  Ralph  Earle  Place. 

If  it  were  not  for  the  known  migratory  habits  of  the  peo- 
ple of  New  England,  it  might  seem  remarkable,  that  of  the 
above  nineteen  families,  comprising  more  than  a hundred 
individuals  who  have  lived  or  been  born  in  Leicester,  not 
more  than  half  a dozen  of  the  name  remain  in  town. 

Flint,  Austin,  Dr.,  m.  Elizabeth  Henshaw,  1785;  and  had 
Joseph  H.,  b.  April  20,  1786;  he  was  an  eminent  physician; 
lived  in  Petersham,  afterwards  in  Northampton,  and,  for  seve- 
ral years  before  his  death,  in  Springfield;  d.  at  Leicester, 
Dec.  11,  1846.  Sally,  b.  June  5,  1787;  m.  Calvin  Spear  of 
Boston.  Edward,  b.  Nov.  7,  1789.  Elizabeth  C.,  b.  May  3, 
1792  ; m.  John  Clapp.  Waldo,  b.  Sept.  4,  1794;  is  noticed  in 
this  work ; President  of  the  Eagle  Bank,  Boston.  Laura, 
b.  Nov.  1,  1796. 

Dr.  Flint  is  noticed  in  the  body  of  this  work. 

Flint,  Edward,  m.  Harriet  Emerson  of  Norwich,  Yt.,  No- 
vember, 1817  ; and  had  Charlotte  E.,  b.  June  10, 1821.  Sally, 
b.  Oct.  12,  1822.  Both  d.  unmarried.  John  S.,  b.  March  6, 
1824  ; a successful  physician  in  Roxbury. 

Dr.  Flint  is  noticed  in  this  work. 

Fay,  Ebenezer.  His  wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  They  had 
Sarah,  b.  Jan.  3,  1743. 


366 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Fay,  David.  His  wife’s  name  was  Jemima.  They  had 
Hannah,  b.  June  26,  1748.  David,  b.  Dec.  23,  1749.  Ehene- 
zer,  b.  Dec.  5,  1751.  Jemima,  b.  March  31,  1754;  m.  Peter 
Buck  of  Worcester,  1779. 

Jedidiah  Newton  m.  Jemima  Fay  in  1758,  who  was  proba- 
bly widow  of  David.  The  family  seem  to  have  disappeared 
from  the  records  after  that  time. 

Green,  Samuel,  was  the  first  of  the  family  of  this  name 
who  settled  in  Leicester,  and  may  be  considered  the  Nestor 
of  this  little  community.  The  part  of  the  town  where  he 
settled  is  now  called  Greenville.  He  was  born  in  Malden, 
1670  ; and  came  to  Leicester,  a few  months,  it  is  believed, 
before  Mr.  Denny  and  the  Southgates.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Upham,  dau.  of  the  ancestor  of  the  early  families  of  that 
name  in  Leicester;  and  had  Elizabeth,  b.  1693;  m.  Thomas 
Richardson,  an  early  settler  in  Leicester.  Rehekah,h.  1695; 
m.  Samuel  Baldwin  of  Leicester.  Rath,  m.  Joshua  Nichols 
of  Leicester.  Thomas,  b.  1699.  Lydia,  m.  Abiathar  Yinton  ; 
and  afterwards  Samuel  StoAver,  Avho  came  from  Malden  to 
Leicester.  Barsheba,  m.  Elisha  Newers.  Abigail,  m.  Henry 
King  of  Leicester.  Anna,  m.  Ebenezer  Lamb.  That  he  was 
regarded  as  a man  of  intelligence  and  Avorth,  is  shown  by  the 
early  action  of  the  toAvn.  At  the  first  recorded  meeting  of 
the  inhabitants,  he  Avas  chosen  first  selectman,  moderator,  first 
assessor,  and  grand  juror ; and  he  continued  to  hold  offices 
of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the  toAvn  as  long  as  he  lived. 
He  early  became  a proprietor  of  the  toAvnship ; and  Avas  one 
of  the  committee  of  the  proprietors,  in  1722-3,  to  select  the 
half  Avhich  should  be  conveyed  to  the  settlers,  and  to  conAmy 
the  same.  This  he  did  in  1724.  In  that  deed  he  is  named  as 
proprietor  of  lots  No.  28-31,  tAAm  mill-lots,  and  one  other  mill- 
lot  in  connection  AAnth  his  son-in-law,  Thomas  Richardson. 
He  aftei’Avards  purchased  the  Avhole  of  this  lot,  and  erected 
a gristmill  and  the  first  sawmill  in  the  town  upon  them,  upon 
the  site  on  which  the  mills  in  Greenville  now  stand.  In  1727, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


367 


he  was  the  owner  of  nine  hundred  and  twenty-nine  acres  of 
land  in  the  town. 

He  was  the  first  captain  of  the  first  military  company 
raised  in  the  town;  an  honorable  mark  of  distinction,  which 
is  carefully  recognized  in  all  documents  and  records  after- 
wards in  which  he  is  named.  He  built  and  occupied  the 
house  opposite  the  Baptist  Meeting-house  in  Greenville ; and 
continued  to  be  a leading  man  in  the  town  until  his  death, 
Jan.  2,  1736,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  The  influence  of  the 
character  and  example  of  the  first  settlers  of  such  a town, 
upon  the  little  community  growing  up  around  them,  is  often 
felt  through  successive  generations  ; and,  among  those  to 
whom  the  town  of  Leicester  owed  its  progress  and  character, 
the  memory  of  Capt.  Green  ought  ever  to  be  held  in  grate- 
ful respect. 

Green,  Thomas,  son  of  the  above,  was  a more  prominent 
and  leading  man  than  his  father.  He  is  noticed  at  length 
among  the  clergymen  of  the  town.  He  m.  Martha,  dau.  of 
Capt.  John  Lynde  of  Malden,  and  sister  of  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  town,  January,  1726 ; and  had  Samuel,  b.  1726. 
Martha,  b.  1727 ; m.  Dr.  Robert  Craige.  Isaac.  Thomas, 
b.  1733.  John,  b.  1736;  a physician;  removed  to  Worcester; 
became  eminent  in  his  profession  ; and  had  a son  and  grand- 
son, of  the  same  name  and  profession,  in  Worcester.  Solomon. 
Elizabeth, m.  Rev.  Dr.  Foster.  Mrs.  Green  d.  June  20,  1780: 
Dr.  Green  d.  Aug.  19,  1773.  Among  the  descendants  of  Dr. 
Green  is  Mrs.  Mary  H.  Pike,  authoress  of  Ida  May,”  a work 
of  fiction  of  considerable  reputation.  She  is  the  wife  of  F.  A. 
Pike,  Esq.,  of  Calais,  Me. 

Green  Samuel,  2d,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas- (sometimes  called 
“ Captain,”  as  he  was  at  one  time  in  command  of  the  military 
company  of  the  town,  but  more  generally  known  as  Dea- 
con”), m.  Zerviah  Dana  of  Ashford,  Conn.,  for  his  first  wife,  and 
a Mrs.  Fisk  of  Sturbridge  for  his  second.  His  children  were 
Samuel,  3d,  b.  November,  1757.  Elijah,  b.  May  3,  1760;  en- 


368 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


tered  the  service  in  the  Revolutionary  War  ; joined  the  army 
at  Roxbury ; and  died  in  camp^  December,  1775,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen. 

Capt.  Green  was  the  one  appointed  to  notify  the  company 
of  minute-men  in  case  of  alarm;  and  did  so  on  the  19th  April, 
1775,  as  stated  in  this  work.  He  accompanied  his  son  when 
he  joined  the  army  at  Roxbury,  and  remained  in  that  vicinity 
till  his  death.  In  1777,  he  represented  the  town  with  Col. 
Washburn  in  the  General  Court.  He  was  deacon  of  the 
Baptist  Church  for  more  than  fifty  years,  and  one  of  the  main 
pillars  of  the  society.  After  the  removal  of  Dr.  Foster,  he 
had  charge  of  and  supplied  the  pulpit  until  a successor  was 
appointed.  He  lived  in  the  house  built  by  his  grandfather, 
opposite  the  Meeting-house  in  Greenville.  He  died  Feb.  20, 
1811,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four;  and  his  wife,  June  28,  1797, 
aged  sixty-five. 

Green,  Isaac,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas,  was  a physician,  and  is 
noticed  in  another  part  of  this  work.  He  m.  Sarah  Howe, 
and  had  Sarah  and  Mary. 

Green,  Thomas,  2d,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas,  m.  Hannah  Fox, 
and  afterwards  Anna  Hovey  of  Sutton ; and  had  Elias,  b. 
Jan.  25,  1756  ; he  m.  Mary in  1782,  and  removed  to  Cam- 

bridge, Yt.  Thomas,  b.  1757 : he  became  a physician,  and 
lived  in  Auburn,  then  Ward;  d.  1812,  aged  fifty-five.  Isaac, 
b.  1759;  was  also  a physician;  was  in  the  Revolutionary 
service  ; and  removed  to  Windsor,  Yt.,  in  1788.  He  m.  Ann 
Barrett,  and  became  a wealthy  and  influential  citizen  of  that 
town.  Ahiathar,  b.  1760:  he,  too,  was  in  the  service  in 
the  Revolution;  he  removed  to  Farmington,  Me.;  d.  1831, 
aged  seventy -one.  Asa.  Hannah,  m.  Howard  Putnam. 
John  and  Behekah,  twins.  Daniel,  b.  1778  ; is  a physician 
in  Auburn. 

The  father  was  a farmer,  though  not  a very  thrifty  one. 
He  once  owned  the  farm,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  where 
Elijah  Thayer  formerly  lived.  After  that,  he  lived  in  various 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


369 


places,  and,  at  one  time,  in  the  house  that  stood  on  Flip  Lane. 
He  died  in  Auburn,  October,  1813,  aged  eighty. 

Green,  William,  1st,  was  b.  in  Malden  in  1683.  His  father 
was  cousin  of  Capt.  Samuel.  He  m.  Sarah  Sprague,  a branch 
of  the  same  family  which  settled  in  Leicester ; and  had  Mary^ 
b.  1710.  Sarali^  b.  Sept.  13,  1711;  m.  Hezekiah  Ward,  Esq., 
of  Leicester,  1737.  Heiozihah^  b.  June  13,  1714.  William^ 
b.  July  6,  1716.  Israel^  b.  1721.  Charles,  b.  1724.  Nahum, 
b.  1729.  Mary,  b.  1731. 

Mr.  Green  removed  to  Leicester  about  1719  or  ’20.  He 
purchased  Lot  No.  36,  and  must  have  built  the  house  thereon, 
recently  occupied  by  the  late  John  King,  Esq.  At  the  first 
recorded  town-meeting,  he  was  elected  a tithing-man;  then 
an  office  of  consequence,  especially  in  the  matter  of  Sunday 
police.  He  held  sundry  other  offices  of  trust  in  the  town. 
He  d.  subsequently  to  1755.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Green  m. 
Capt.  John  Lynde  of  Leicester  for  her  second  husband. 

Green,  Nathaniel,  brother  of  the  above,  was  b.  in  Malden, 
1689 ; and  m.  Elizabeth  Sprague,  sister  of  the  wife  of  his 
brother.  He  lived  in  Stoneham  previous  to  his  removal  to 
Leicester  in  1723.  Their  children  were  Elizaheth,  b.  1714; 
m.  Benjamin  Saunderson  of  Leicester,  1737.  Winnifred,  b. 
1716;  m.  Benjamin  Baldwin  of  Leicester,  1749.  Nathaniel, 
b.  1721.  Mehitahel,  b.  1724;  m.  Samuel  Call  of  Leicester, 
1746.  Phinehas,  b.  1728.  Benjamin,  b.  1731. 

Mr.  Green  was  captain  of  the  first  foot  company  in  Leices- 
ter” in  1743.  I copy  from  the  work  of  Mr.  Green,  of  which 
I have  made  liberal  use  in  these  genealogies,  an  order 
addressed  to  Capt.  Green  ; which  shows  that  it  was  no  holiday 
matter  to  command  a military  company  at  that  time.  The 
conquest  of  Louisburg  took  place  in  1745.  The  next  year, 
the  whole  of  New  England  was  alarmed  by  the  intelligence, 
that  an  immense  armament  had  reached  Nova  Scotia  from 
France,  on  its  way  to  attack  the  Colonies,  and  destroy  Bos- 
ton. This  led  to  the  following  order  from  Col.  Chandler:  — 

47 


370 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


~ Sm,  — This  moment  I received  the  Governors  express ; and. 
pnrsnant  thereto,  yon  are  required,  in  his  majesty’s  name,  on  your 
utmost  periL  to  draw  out  of  your  military  ward  twenty -five  men.  com- 
pletely armed,  and  furnished  with  ammunition  and  fourteen  days’  pro- 
vision, and  march  them,  without  the  least  delay,  to  Worcester,  and 
from  thence  to  Boston;  a French  invasion  being  every  moment  ex- 
pected- I say,  Fail  at  your  peril! 

‘"JoHx  Chaxdlee,  Col. 

« WoECESTEE,  Sept.  22,  1746. 

“ Either  you  or  Capt.  Whittemore,  with  two  more  commissioned 
officers,  must  go ; and  don’t  faiL 

“ In  his  Majesty’s  service, 

Capt.  Xathantel  Greex,  in  Leicester.’’ 

Capt.  Green  d.  Sept.  27,  1774. 

Green,  Xathaniel,  son  of  the  above,  was  b.  in  Stoneham ; 
came  to  Leicester,  with  his  father,  in  1723  : m.  Tabitha 
Prentice:  and  had  b.  1749  : lived  in  Spencer.  Susan- 

nah^ b.  1751.  Tahitka,  b.  1753.  XaHianidj  b.  1755.  Lydia, 
b.  1758.  John,  b.  1760;  was  a minister  in  Coleraine,  and  d. 
1800.  Rufus,  h.  1762;  went  to  Calais,  Yt.;  d.  1844.  Xary, 
b.  1764.  Chloe,  b.  1766  ; m.  Adams  Wheelock.  Ehenezer,  b. 
1769;  removed  to  Belchertown:  d.  1848. 

This  Mr.  Green  was  known  as  “ the  Rev. ; having  been 
ordained  as  a Baptist  minister  after  he  was  forty-three  years 
old-  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  removed  to  Charlton ; 
where  he  d.,  1791,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 

Green,  Phinehas,  brother  of  the  above.  His  wife^s  name 
was  Judith.  They  had  John,  b.  1759  ; removed  to  Ohio. 
Pliny,  b.  1761.  Sdas,  1762.  Judith,  1765;  d.  unmarried. 
Phebe,  b.  1766.  Danid,  1768.  Mary,  1770. 

He  d,  in  1776,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven.  He  is  spoken  of 
as  a “ teacher  of  penmanship.’’  There  was  a Phinehas  Green, 
jun,,  in  the  same  company  with  the  above,  at  the  battle  of 
Bunker  HiU ; but  I am  unable  to  ascertain  his  parentage. 

Green,  Benjamin,  brother  of  the  above ; m.  Lucy  ^larston  of 
Spencer  in  1754;  and  had  Benjamin,  1775,  who  removed  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


871 


Spencer.  Lucy^  1757.  Asa,  1761:  removed  to  Deer  Isle, 
Me.,  1797.  Elizabeth,  1763.  Olive,  1766.  Hannah,  1768. 
Lydia,  1770. 

After  the  births  of  his  children,  Mr.  Green  removed  to 
Spencer. 

Green,  SjLiirEL,  son  of  Deacon  Samuel ; m.  Hannah  Kin- 
ney of  Sutton.  Had  Elijah,  1780:  d.- 1796.  Lucretia,  July^ 
1783:  m.  D.  Fairbanks,  and  d.  1820.  Sophia,  May,  1785; 
m.  John  King,  Esq. ; d.  1854.  Saninet  D.,  1788  : entered 
Brown  University:  left  college  in  his  senior  year;  now  lives 
in  Cambridgeport.  TTiHiani  K.,  1790;  lived  in  Woodstock, 
Conn.  Hadassah  E.,  1792:  m.  Asa  Mann;  removed  to  Canada 
West,  and  d.  there. 

Mr.  Green  lived  in  the  house  next  west  of  the  mills  in 
Greenville,  and  once  kept  a tavern  there.  He  removed  late 
in  life  to  Pembroke^  X.T. ; and  d.  there,  1832,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-four. 

Green,  William,  son  of  William,  1st,  m.  Eebecca  Tucker 
of  Milton,  1737.  Had  Joel,  1738  : who,  I suppose,  was  the 
Joel  Green  that  commanded  a company  in  Col.  Larned's  regi- 
ment, in  the  Continental  service.  TrUliam,  1742.  Jedidhan, 
1744.  Ira,  1746.  Rebecwi,  1749.  Asenath,  1750:  m.  Isaac 
Center,  1772.  Jesse,  1752.  Oliver,  1754.  Jeruiah,  1756. 
Jehiel,  1758.  There  was  a Jockton  Green,  who  is  believed  to 
have  been  the  son  of  the  above-named  William,  and  probably 
was  born  in  1740. 

Mr.  Green  was  a farmer,  and  lived  where  Amos  Wliitte- 
more  died,  formerly  the  house  of  Andrew  Scott,  on  the 
Charlton  Road. 

Green,  Xahem.  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Dorcas  Sanger  of 
Woodstock  : and  had  Mary,  1751 : Uzziah,  1753  : Irijah,  1756  : 
Mercy,  1758:  Jeruiah,  1760:  Amasa,  1762:  Pamela,  1764; 
Jared,  1765:  Zerviah,  1767:  Xahum,  1770. 

Mr.  Green  was  a farmer,  and  lived  up>on  a part  of  his  father's 
firm  ; where,  as  I suppose,  Richard  Bond,  jun.,  lived  and  died. 


372 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Green,  Israel,  brother  of  the  above,  was  married,  and  had 
three  children  in  Leicester ; removed  to  Petersham,  and  then 
to  Hubbardston;  d.  about  1790.  Had  four  sons  in  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill,  — one  of  them  killed,  and  the  other  mortally 
wounded,  in  that  battle.  The  third,  then  a lieutenant,  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  The  fourth  was  in  the 
battles  of  White  Plains,  Bennington,  and  Saratoga,  and  in 
the  campaign  in  New  Jersey,  — the  only  one  of  the  four  who 
survived  the  service. 

Green,  Jockton,  son  of  William,  2d,  as  is  believed,  m. 
Esther  Newhall,  dau.  of  Jonathan,  1762.  Had 1763; 
m.  Elkanah  Haven,  1785.  Jonathan^  1765;  Fersis,  1768; 
Francis,  1770;  JosiaJi,  1772;  Salmon,  1775;  Eli,  1778. 

Mr.  Green  lived  in  the  house  east  of  the  late  John  King, 
Esq.,  where  Richard  Bond,  jun.,  lived  and  died. 

Green,  Jabez,  came  from  Malden  about  1750.  His  grand- 
father was  brother  of  the  first  Samuel  who  came  to  Leicester. 
His  wife^s  name  was  Mary;  and  they  had  Jabez,  June  13, 
1743.  Mary,  Jan.  7,  1749.  Nathan,  went  to  Gardner,  Dec.  27, 
1752.  Joseph,  Dec.  30,  1754;  went  to  Vermont.  Stephen, 
Aug.  7, 1757  ; known  as  “ Deacon.”  Elizabeth,  March  8, 1762. 
Hannah,  Dec.  28,  1764.  Abel,  September,  1767. 

Mr.  Green  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  Leicester,  where 
his  son  Abel  lived  for  many  years.  He  was  a farmer ; and 
d.  Oct.  1,  1806,  aged  eighty-eight. 

Green,  Jabez,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Lucy  Kent  of  Leicester, 
17 64  ; and  had  Hannah ; m.  John  White  of  Leicester.  Zolvah; 
who  lives  on  the  same  farm  where  his  fixther  lived,  in  the 
north-west  part  of  the  town.  Josiah  and  Jabez;  who  re- 
moved to  Spencer,  and  are  now  living  there. 

Green,  Abel,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Eunice  Wicker, 
whose  mother  was  sister  of  Seth  Washburn.  Had  Harriet, 
1790  ; Eunice,  1795  ; Julia,  1797 ; Laura,  1800. 

Mr.  Green  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town ; a 
farmer;  d.  1743,  aged  seventy-six. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


373 


Green,  Joel,  son  of  William,  2d.  His  wife’s  name  was 
Chloe.  They  had  Joel,  1762;  Cliloe,  1764;  &eih,  1767. 

Green,  Jesse,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Grace  Hall,  August, 
1777.  Had  Martin,  1779;  Jacob,  1780;  Sarah,  1783;  Iddo, 
1785. 

There  were  several  other  families  of  Green  ; some  of  whom, 
after  marrying  and  settling  in  Leicester,  removed  from  the 
town.  Among  them,  Elias,  son  of  Thomas,  2d,  above  men- 
tioned. He  m.  Mary  Scott  of  Leicester,  1782;  and  had 
Tamisin,  Oct.  27,  1784;  d.  1808.  Sylvanus,  April  6,  1787. 
In  1796,  he  removed  to  Cambridge,  Vt. 

There  was  a Thomas  Green,  a hatter,  who  came  here  about 
1807  or  ’8,  and  raised  up  a pretty  large  family.^ 

Green,  Solomon,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas,  m.  Elizabeth  Page, 
and  lived  in  what  used  to  be  called  the  Wilby  Cottage,  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town.  His  children  were  Timothy;  Solo- 
mon; John;  Archelaus ; Lynde ; Isaac;  Mary. 

The  Greens  have  been  the  most  numerous  of  the  Leicester 
families ; and  the  number  of  those  whose  names  are  found  on 
the  rolls  of  Revolutionary  service  furnish  the  strongest  proof 
of  the  energy  which  characterized  them  as  men,  as  well  as 
the  patriotic  influences  under  which  they  were  educated: 
and  yet,  like  so  many  of  the  early  families  of  the  town,  they 
have  almost  all  disappeared ; while  their  descendants  may  be 
found  scattered  all  over  the  Union. 

Goddard,  Rev.  David,  m.  Mercy  Stone  of  Watertown.  Had 
Daniel,  Sept.  19,  1738.  William,  April  27,  1740.  Mercy, 
Nov.  10,  1741.  Edward,  Dec.  12,  1742.  Mary,  Oct.  16,  1744. 
Susannah,  Feb.  17,  1747.  Mercy,  Feb.  3,  1750. 

The  family  disappear  after  the  death  of  tlie  Rev.  Mr.  God- 
dard. 

Graton,  John,  m.  Abigail  Baldwin,  1772.  Had  Itowena, 
May  3,  1773.  Tryphena,  Sept.  23,  1774.  John,  Feb.  17, 
1777.  Cyrus,  April  29,  1779.  Alvin,  April  20,  1781.  Abi- 
gail, May  7,  1783.  Hannah  P.,  Aug.  27,  1785. 


374 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Mr.  G-raton  came  from  Spencer.  The  family  were  originally 
from  Medford.  He  lived  a little  west  of  John  Parker’s  house, 
in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town.  Mr.  Graton  d.  1827, 
aged  seventy-eight. 

Gage,  Jonathan.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mary.  They  had 
Levi,  b.  Aug.  9,  1786;  Silas,  1788;  Polly,  1790;  Brigham, 
1793. 

Mr.  Gage  lived  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  where 
Dr.  Parsons  once  lived,  on  the  road  leading  by  Joseph 
Whittemore’s,  opposite  the  road  leading  to  Zolva  Green’s. 
The  house  is  removed. 

Gilmore,  Adam,  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  James  Harwood,  1788. 
Had  James,  March  9,  1799  ; d.  young.  David,  Jan.  22,  1783. 

Mr.  Green  lived  in  various  places  in  town;  a part  of  the 
time,  on  Mount  Pleasant,  in  the  small  house  opposite  the  place 
once  Major  Swan’s.  He  d.  1808 ; his  wife,  1834. 

Haven,  Elkanah,  was  the  son  of  Elkanah ; b.  in  Framing- 
ham. He  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Jockton  Green,  Nov.  24,  1785. 
The  father  d.  in  1794  in  Leicester.  The  children  of  Elkanah, 
jun.,  were  Persis,  b.  1788;  m.  Daniel  Muzzy.  Jocldon  G., 
b.  1789.  Artemas,  b.  1793.  Harriet,  b.  1796;  m.  Asahel 
Barber  of  Framingham.  Lucetta,  1802 ; m.  George  W.  Hart- 
well, Oxford.  John. 

Mr.  Haven  lived  on  the  County  Koad,  in  the. south-west 
part  of  the  town. 

Harwood,  Nathaniel,  removed  from  Lunenburg  to  Leices- 
ter. His  wife’s  name  was  Hannah.  He  lived  in  a house 
opposite  where  William  Silvester  lives.  He  was  a soldier  in 
the  French  wars ; afterwards  commanded  the  military  com- 
pany of  the  town ; was  a respectable  farmer,  and  seems  to 
have  been  a man  of  considerable  influence  in  the  town.  His 
children  were  James ; Nathaniel;  Jesse,  1750;  Mary;  Eliza- 
beth; Lucy;  Hannah,  — though  not  born  in  the  above  order; 
there  being  no  record  of  their  births.  A part  or  all  of  them 
were  born  in  Lunenburg. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


375 


Nathaniel  went  to  North  Brookfield;  Jesse  moved  to  the 
West;  Mary  m.  Col.  Seth  Washburn,  1750;  Elizabeth  m.  Ben- 
jamin Bond,  1765  ; Hannah  m.  Micah  Whitney  of Narraghan- 
set,  No.  6’’  (Templeton),  1759  ; Lucy  m.  Jonas  Gleason,  1773. 
The  name  in  the  records  is  sometime  Harwood,  and  sometimes 
Harrod.  It  has  been  used  in  both  forms  in  this  work. 

Harwood,  James,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Martha  Barnes,  1755. 
Had  Martha,  March  4,  1756;  m.  Adam  Gilmore.  Sarah, 
March  5,  1758;  m.  Thomas  Bond.  Hannah,  July  31,  1759; 
d.,  unmarried,  1818.  Rebekah,  May  16,  1761;  d.,  unmarried, 
1840.  Mary,  Feb.  8,  1763;  m.  Isaac  Very.  EUphalet,  b. 
1764.  Susannah,  m.  a Hill.  James.  Nathaniel. 

Mr.  Harwood  lived  in  a house,  now  removed,  that  stood  in 
the  pasture  west  of  Eber  Bond’s.  He  d.  1803 ; his  widow, 
1817,  aged  eighty-eight. 

Harwood,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Capt.  Nathaniel,  m.  Sarah 
Grimes  of  New  Salem,  1770;  and  had  Betsey,  1773;  m.  Asa 
Scott  of  Ward.  Nathaniel,  1775. 

Hammond,  Ebenezer.  His  wife  was  Hester.  Had  Ehenezer, 
Aug.  17,  1744 ; Samuel,  1746 ; Nathaniel,  1748.  Both  d. 
1754. 

Hammond,  Jonas.  His  wife’s  name  was  Elizabeth.  Had 
Margaret,  July  29,  1740;  James,  Dec.  20,  1742;  Elizabeth, 
April  13,  1745  ; Mary,  Feb.  19,  1747 ; Han7iah,  May  30, 
1751 ; Lydig,  Nov.  25,  1753.  Hannah  m.  David  Dunbar, 
1773. 

Hasey,  Samuel.  His  wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  They  had 
Sarah,  March  28,  1746  ; Samuel,  Aug.  19,  1747  ; Zaccheus, 
1751;  3Iary,  1755;  Jerusha,  1757. 

Hasey,  John,  m.  Tabitha  Thomas  of  Leicester,  Nov.  22, 
1748.  Had  Tabitha,  1749  ; m.  Abijah  Stowers.  Elizabeth, 
m.  Phinehas  Barton,  1753. 

Hopkins,  Thomas.  Had  Judy,  b.  Aug.  4,  1716;  Elizabeth, 
Jan.  13,  1718;  Sarah,  April  15,  1721.  Elizabeth  m.  Baley 
Bond. 


376 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Mr.  Hopkins’s  wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  He  lived  on  the 
Oxford  Road,  where  Silas  Gleason  recently  lived. 

Hexry,  Robert.  His  wife’s  name  Avas  Susannah.  They 
had  Hannah,  1766 ; Robert,  1772 ; Mary,  1774;  Martha,  1777  ; 
William  Y.,  1779;  Elizabeth,  1782;  Foster,  1784.  He  lived 
upon  the  farm,  owned  by  Robert  Young,  which  Robert  Henry 
(probably  his  father)  purchased  in  1728.  He  removed  wdth 
his  family  from  Leicester  to  Charleston,  N.H.  (No.  4),  in  1794. 
His  dau.  Hannah  m.  Ezra  Silvester,  1787. 

Hersey,  Peleg.  His  wife  was  Lucy.  Had  Peleg,  May  6, 
1764;  Samuel,  June,  1766.  Lived  in  what  is  noAv  called 
Cherry  Valley.  His  house  stood  Avhere  Capt.  Cutting  lived 
and  died. 

Hersey,  Nathan.  His  wife  Avas  Mary.  They  had  Thomas, 
b.  March  24,  1771  : is  noticed  elseAvhere  as  a physician  in 
town.  Mr.  Hersey  lived  Avhere  Calvin  Hersey  afterAvards 
lived,  in  the  Avest  part  of  the  town.  The  house  Avas  after- 
Avards burnt. 

Hersey,  Elijah.  His  Avife’s  name  Avas  Beulah.  They  had 
Achsa,  1782  ; Harvey,  1784  ; Elijah,  1786  ; Nathaniel  <S.,  1788  ; 
Sarah,  1791.  Mr.  Hersey  lived  Avhere  Capt.  Trask  after AAmrds 
did,  in  the  Avest  part  of  the  toAvn.  He  built  the  house. 

Hersey,  Martin,  m.  Mercy  BroAvn,  Sept.  24,  1789.  Had 
Betsey,  Aug.  10,1790;  Huldah,  1792;  Isaac  B.,  1794.  He 
lived  where  J.  A.  Denny  lives. 

Hersey,  Calahn.  His  Avife’s  name  was  Sally.  They  had 
Thankful,  1792  ; m.  Uriel  Johnson.  Charles,  1794;  went  to 
Canada  West.  Austin,  1797.  Martha  P.,  1799;  m.  a God- 
dard. Clarissa  Alvira,  1801.  Zephaniah  S.  M.,  1805  ; Avent 
Jo  Canada  West.  He  lived  in  the  house  next  east  of  the 
Capt.  Trask  Place. 

Hubbard,  Daniel,  came  to  Leicester  from  Spencer  in  1750 ; 
Avas  a native  of  Worcester.  He  m.  Elizabeth  Linde,  1747 ; 
and  had  Jonathan,  1750  ; m.  Elizabeth  Parsons,  dau.  of  Dr. 
Parsons,  and  lived  in  Paxton.  Daniel,  1753.  Elizabeth,  1757; 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


377 


m.  Samuel  Cheever.  e/o/m,  1761.  Benjamin^  1763.  Molly , 
1766;  m.  Joseph  Thurston.  Esther^  1768;  m.  Aaron  Moore. 

Mr.  Hubbard  d.  1805,  aged  seventy-nine.  He  lived  where 
his  son  Daniel  once  lived. 

Hubbard,  Daniel,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Mary  Sargent,  dau.  of 
Nathaniel,  Feb.  22, 1776  ; and  had  Jonathan;  m.  Betsey  Kent ; 
removed  to  Vermont.  Betsey ^ m.  Barnard  Upham,  1802. 
Sally,  m.  John  Sprague,  1801.  Mary,  m.  a Brigham.  Persis, 
m.  Lot  Hancock,  1816.  Nancy,  b.  1784;  m.  Silas  Bullard; 
d.  1839.  Catherine,  b.  1795;  went,  with  her  father,  to  Ver- 
mont. 

Capt.  Hubbard  lived  one  mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house. 
He  was  a farmer,  and,  for  several  years,  steward  of  the  Aca- 
demy ; a man  much  respected.  He  once  commanded  one  of 
the  military  companies  of  the  town.  In  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  he  removed  to  Wallingford,  Vt. ; where  he  died. 

Honeywood,  Dr.  Jjdhn,  is  noticed  among  the  physicians  of 
the  town.  He  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Judge  Steele  (1761); 
and  had  St.  John,  1763  ; noticed  among  the  college  gradu- 
ates. Mary,  1766 ; m.  Nathaniel  Lyon.  Elizabeth,  1769 ; 
m.  Samuel  Allen,  Esq.,  many  years  Treasurer  of  the  County 
of  Worcester.  Henry,  1771. 

Hobart,  John,  b.  1768,  in  Abington  ; m.  Charlotte  Spear, 
1788.  He  was,  by  trade,  a blacksmith.  He  came  to  Leicester 
in  1793;  purchased,  and  for  many  years  carried  on,  the  pub- 
lic-house opposite  the  Meeting-house,  with  general  favor  and 
success.  After  that,  about  1816  or  H7,  he  built  the  house 
where  Mr.  Hobart  lives,  and  lived  in  it  till  his  death.  He 
represented  the  town  several  times ; was  often  in  town-office, 
and  held  a commanding  influence  in  town.  His  children  were 
Relief,  b.  1789.  Mehitahel,  1790;  m.  Boswell  Sprague,  Esq., 
now  of  New  York.  John,  1792  ; Polly,  1795  ; b.  in  Leicester. 
Billings,  1797.  Otis,  1800.  Louisa,  1802  ; m.  Emory  Drury. 
Harriet  B.,  1804  ; d.,  unmarried,  1831.  George,  1806  ; lives 
in  Pliiladelpliia.  Sally,  1809.  Edward,  1812;  lives  in  Phila- 

48 


378 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


delphia.  3Iaria,  1814.  John  went  to  Indiana;  Billings,  to 
Virginia.  Otis  went  to  the  West,  and  d.  there,  1849.  Mrs. 
Hobart  is  still  living. 

Henshaw,  William,  is  noticed  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
He  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Sargent,  1762  ; and  had  Sarah, 
1762;  m.  Andrew  Scott,  1780.  Elizabeth,  1764;  m.  Dr. 
Austin  Flint,  1785.  Col.  Henshaw’s  second  wife  was  Phebe 
Swan,  dau.  of  Dudley  W.  Swan;  and  had  Ruth,  1772;  m.  Dr. 
Asa  Miles,  and  afterwards  Rev.  Lysander  Bascom.  Joseph, 
1774;  d.  in  Belchertown.  Phebe,  1777;  m.  Joseph  Denny; 
d.  August,  1815.  William,  1780;  lives  in  Leicester.  Daniel, 
1782;  noticed  elsewhere.  Catherine,  Lucinda,  11%^] 

m.  Joseph  Denny  for  his  second  wife.  Horatio  Gates,  1788. 
Benjamin,  Almira,  11^^',  d.  unmarried. 

Col.  Henshaw’s  first  wife  d.  1769,  aged  twenty-five;  his 
second,  1808,  aged  fifty-six.  He  lived  upon  the  farm  where 
Mr.  Edwin  Waite  lives,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town. 

Henshaw,  Daniel,  ancestor  of  all  of  the  name  in  Leicester; 
came  from  Boston,  and  lived  where  Mr.  Edwin  Waite  lives. 
His  wife  was  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Joseph  Bass,  Esq.,  of  Boston. 
They  were  m.  in  1724;  and  had  Joseph,  1727 ; mentioned  in 
this  work  as  Col.  Joseph.  William,  1735.  David,  1744. 
Hannah,  m.  John  Jopp  of  Oxford,  1763.  Mary  Belcher, 
m.  Amos  Wheeler  of  Worcester,  1762. 

Mr.  Henshaw  d.  Nov.  18,  1781,  aged  eighty. 

Henshaw,  David,  son  of  Daniel,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Nathan 
Sargent,  1773.  Had  J/ary,  1774  ; d.  1790.  Elizabeth, 
m.  Nathaniel  Dodge,  1823.  Anna,  1778  ; d.  unmarried. 
Joshua,  1779;  lived  many  years  in  Ohio;  d.  in  Leicester. 
Andrew,  1783;  removed  to  Alabama;  d.  there.  Fanny, 
1785  ; d.  1801.  Sarah,  1787  ; m.  Andrew  H.  Ward,  Esq. 
Charles,  1789;  lives  in  Boston.  David,  1789;  is  noticed  in 
this  work.  Laura,  1795  ; m.  Oliver  Fletcher,  Esq.,  1822. 
John,  1798;  many  years  a merchant  in  Boston;  d.  in  Cam- 
bridge, 1859. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


379 


Mr.  Henshaw  is  noticed  in  this  work.  He  d.  1808,  aged 
sixty-four:  his  wife  d.  1831,  aged  seventy-six. 

Hodgkin,  John,  came  from  Fitchburg;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Col.  Seth  Washburn,  1789.  Had  Eher^  1790  ; Lucy,  1793. 
Soon  after  that,  he  removed  to  Putney,  Yt. ; where  he  lived 
the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Jackson,  James,  lived  where  Mr.  Eber  Bond  lives,  on  the 
Oxford  Koad.  His  wife’s  name  was  Martha.  They  had 
James j 1731 ; Thomas j 1733  ; Jolin^  1734  ; Mary^  1739  ; 
Martha  j 1741. 

Jackson,  Matthew,  m.  Elizabeth  Works,  1781.  He  came 
to  Leicester,  just  before  the  close  of  the  Eevolution,  from 
Brookfield.  He  had  been  a soldier  in  Capt.  Washburn’s  com- 
pany in  the  eight-months’  service,  and  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  and  then  belonged  to  Rutland.  He  first  bought  the  Tan- 
yard  Place,  at  the  foot  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill.  In  1789, 
he  bought  the  house-lot,  where  he  built  his  house  and  shoe- 
maker’s shop,  of  Seth  Washburn. 

^ Here  he  afterwards  lived  and  died.  He  was  a shoemaker. 

His  children  were  Joseph,  1784;  d.  unmarried.  Elsey,  1788  ; 
I married  a Cushman;  lived  in  New- York  State.  Elizabeth, 
‘ 1790  ; d.,  unmarried,  Oct.  25,  1850.  With  her,  the  family 
became  extinct.  Elizabeth  was  a lady  of  a cultivated  mind 
and  poetical  taste,  and  often  contributed  fugitive  pieces  for 
the  press.  She  left  the  following  touching  allusion  to  the 
extinction  of  her  family,  which  a friend  caused  to  be  inscribed 
as  an  epitaph  upon  the  headstone  at  her  grave : — 

“ Ah ! who  shall  shed  a tear  for  me 
When  ’neath  the  silent  turf  I lie  ? 

Will  there  be  friends  — who  may  they  be  V — 

To  stand  around  with  weeping  eye  ? 

The  clouds  of  heaven  alone  will  weep, 

The  winds  of  heaven  sigh,  where  I sleep ; 

And  here  and  there  a wild-flower  shed 
Its  fragrance  round  my  lowly  bed,  — 

The  last  of  her  family.” 

Johnson,  Benjamin,  lived  in  a house,  now  gone,  standing 


I 


380 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


north  of  Eber  Bond's,  on  the  Charlton  Road.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Rebekah.  Their  children : Rebehali,  1719  ; m.  Daniel 
Lynde.  Esther ^ 1721;  m.  William  White.  Mary,  1724;  m. 
Samuel  Bemis.  Abigail,  1726;  m.  John  Prouty,  1745. 

Capt.  Johnson  removed  to  Spencer  in  1747.  While  he 
lived  in  Leicester,  he  was  a man  of  influence  in  the  town. 

Kent,  Ebenezer.  His  wife  was  Sarah.  They  had  Ehenezer, 
1745.  Reuben, Jaco5,  1750;  m.  Desire  Prouty.  Eliza- 
beth, 1752;  m.  Benjamin  Flagg,  1776.  Lydia,  1755;  m.  John 
Campbell,  1783. 

Mr.  Kent  d.  Feb.  3,  1786,  aged  sixty-nine.  He  lived  in  a 
house  near  the  Kent  Place. 

Kent,  Ebenezer,  Jun.,  son  of  above  ; m.  Esther  Stone,  1772  ; 
and  had  William,  1773;  m.  Katy  Wheaton.  Sarah,  1774. 
Daniel,  1777 ; m.  Ruth  Watson,  1805,  for  his  first  wife;  and 
Miranda  Cunningham,  1829,  for  his  second ; he  lived  where 
his  father  had  lived,  about  two  miles  north-easterly  from  the 
Meeting-house ; he  once  commanded  one  of  the  military 
companies  in  the  town;  d.  1849,  leaving  a family  of  children. 
Elias,  1780.  Polly,  1787.  Betsey,  m.  Jonathan  Hubbard. 

Mr.  Kent  and  wife  both  d.  in  1806. 

King,  Henry,  came  from  Sutton  to  Leicester.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Prudence.  They  had  Tamar,  1774;  John,  1776; 
Henry,  1779;  Charles  and  Charlotte,  1783. 

Capt.  King  was  a well-known  citizen  of  the  town,  and  com- 
manded one  of  the  military  companies ; lived  where  his  son 
John  afterwards  lived  and  died,  on  the  Charlton  Road.  He 
is  mentioned  several  times  in  the  body  of  this  work.  He 
d.  1822,  aged  seventy-four. 

Livingston,  Benjamin,  usally  written  Leviston  in  the  town- 
records.  He  came  from  Billerica.  He  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of 
Alexander  Scott,  February,  1769;  and  had  Martha,  Decem- 
ber, 1769  ; m.  John  Phillips,  and  went  to  New  York.  Blatthew, 
1774.  Jaynes,  1777.  Benjamin,  1780.  Dabby,  1782.  Amasa, 
1784. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


381 


Capt.  Livingston  lived  about  half  a mile  north-westerly  of 
Joseph  Whittemore’s,  in  a house,  now  removed,  which  stood 
twenty  or  thirty  rods  from  the  road.  He  once  commanded  a 
company  in  Leicester  during  the  Revolution,  and  was  in  the 
service  at  Saratoga  at  the  taking  of  Burgoyne.  After  the 
war,  he  removed  to  Townsend,  Yt.  James,  after  removing  to 
Vermont,  m.  Nabby  Wheaton  of  Leicester;  and,  in  1833,  was 
living  in  Peacham,  Vt. 

Livermore,  Jonas,  came  from  Weston;  b.  1710.  Daniel  — 
who,  I suppose,  was  his  father — was  a proprietor  and  settler 
of  the  town  before  1720.  He  settled  upon  Lot  No.  29,  lying 
at  the  foot  of  Livermore  Hill,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
on  both  sides  of  the  road.  Jonas  lived  upon  the  east  side  of 
the  road.  His  wife’s  name  was  Elizabeth  Rice  of  Sudbury. 
They  had  Jonas^  1736.  Micah,  1738.  Mary,  1743  ; m.  a Scott. 
David  and  Elizabeth,  1745;  m.  Samuel  Tucker.  Elisha,  1751. 
Beulah,  1753  ; m.  Levi  D unton.  Lydia,  1755  ; m.  Asa  Prouty. 
Mr.  Livermore’s  will  is  dated  1773.  His  wife  d.  1799. 

Livermore,  Jonas,  son  of  the  above,  lived  in  the  south  part 
of  the  town,  where  Salem  lived  and  died.  He  was  a carpenter 
as  well  as  farmer.  His  wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  They  had 
Hannah,  1762;  d.  1767.  Jonas,  1764;  d.  1790.  Sally,  1766; 
d.  1833.  Patty,  1768;  m.  Samuel  Upham,  jun.,  1791,  father 
of  William  Upham,  senator  in  Congress  from  Vermont.  Scdem, 
1770;  lived  in  the  south  part  of  the  town;  d.  1858.  Bath- 
sheba,  1772,  Lovisa,  1774;  m.  Gall;  d.  1800.  Daniel,  1776. 
Bebecea,  1778. 

Mr.  Livermore  d.  1825  ; his  widow,  in  1832,  aged  ninety- 
four. 

Livermore,  Isaac,  lived  in  the  house  opposite  where  Jonas, 
sen.,  lived,  at  the  foot  of  Livermore  Hill.  His  wife’s  name 
was  Dorothy.  They  had  Isaac,  1746;  who  was  in  Capt. 
Washburn’s  company  at  Bunker  Hill.  Abner,  1749;  also  in 
the  same  company.  Dorothy,  1751  ; m.  George  Rogers. 
Abraham,  1753.  Elijah,  1755.  Lucy,  1758. 


382 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


LftermoeEj  Jason.  His  wife^s  name  was  Abigail.  They  had 
Jason^  1750;  Abigail^  1758;  Josiah,  1761. 

Livermore,  Jason,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Mary ; 

and  had  Danid^  1773;  Mary^  1775;  Jasryrij  1778. 

Ltnde,  John,  the  ancestor  of  the  families  of  the  name  in 
Leicester,  came  from  Malden,  and  was  here  before  1721.  He 
was  one  of  the  persons  named  as  grantee  in  the  deed  to 
the  proprietors  of  the  eastern  half  of  the  to^vnship,  and 
was  the  proprietor  of  Lot  Xo.  18.  He  was  married,  and  had 
five  children,  before  he  left  Malden:  viz.,  HannaJij  1710  ; John, 
1712  ; 1714  ; Do^nid^  1717  ; and  Mary.  His  first  wife 

died  in  Malden.  His  second  wife^s  name  was  Hannah.  They 
had  Ahigailj  1721  ; who  m.  Benjamin  Wheaton.  EUzabethj 
1724  ; m.  Daniel  Hubbard,  then  of  Worcester,  1748.  Do.vidj 
1726.  Benjamin,  1731;  d.  1737. 

The  will  of  Mr.  Lynde,  dated  April  7,  1749,  gives  his  son 
John,  among  other  things,  half  of  his  tan-yard  on  his  home 
place  in  Leicester,  together  with  my  negro  slave  named 

Porapey.”  To  Samuel  he  gives  the  farm  where 

Houghton  now  lives,  late  the  estate  of  Benjamin  Johnson, 
which  lies  next  north  of  Eber  Bond’s.  He  gives  his  son 
Daniel  his  lands  on  the  east  side  of  Rutland  Road,  by  Oliver 
Wilt’s. 

Mr.  Lynde  seems  to  have  been  a leading  man  in  the  town, 
a large  landholder,  and  a man  of  wealth  and  influence.  He 
d.  1756.  He  lived  at  what  is  called  the  Elliot  Place. 

Lynde,  John,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  seems  to  have  been  of 
8ui>erior  education  to  those  of  his  day.  He  was  the  school- 
master of  the  town  in  1733,  when  hardly  twenty-one  years 
old;  and  afterwards  is  described  in  a deed  as  John  Lynde, 
Esquire.”  If  he  was  a justice  of  the  peace,  he  was  one  of 
the  earliest  in  town.  In  1750,  he  owned  the  Pilliot  Farm,  as 
it  was  afterwards  called,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  then 
containing  three  hundred  acres,  which  had  been  his  father’s 
homestead.  His  children  were  John,  1736.  Iso/m,  1741. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


383 


James,  1743.  JoJm,  1745.  Benjamin,  1747.  Ruth,  1749  ; 
m.  Dapiel  Upham,  1765. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Lynde  d.  1751. 

Lynde,  Samuel,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Dorcas,  widow  of 
James  Smith  ; and  seems  to  have  moved  on  to  the  farm  which 
had  been  her  husband’s,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  His 
house  was  destroyed  by  a hurricane,  as  mentioned  in  this 
work.  His  children  were  Samuel,  Lucij,  and  Mary. 

Lyxde,  David,  brother  of  above,  m.  Jerusha  Paine  of  Hol- 
den, 1754;  and  had  Jerusha,  1755;  David,  1756;  Charles, 
1758  ; Hannah,  1760. 

Lynde,  Daniel,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Rebekah  Johnson, 
1740.  Had  Johnson,  1741  ; who  went  to  Spencer,  and  lived 
on  the  Sibley  Farm. 

Locke,  Josiah,  was  born  in  Marlborough ; came  to  Leices- 
ter from  Westborongli.  He  had  five  children  at  that  time. 
From  Leicester  he  went  to  Hardwick.  While  residing  there, 
he  commanded  a company  at  Roxbury  in  1775.  He  died  in 
Litchfield,  N.Y.,  1819;  and  his  wife,  in  1839,  at  the  age  of  a 
hundred  and  three  years  and  five  months.  His  wife  was 
Fersis  Matthews  of  New  Braintree.  While  in  Leicester,  they 
had  e/o/i/i,  1762.  Persis,  1765;  m.  George  Jenkins.  Josiah, 
1766. 

Larkin,  William,  came  from  Boston;  owned  and  lived  on 
the  place  now  owned  by  Mr.  May.  He  is  sometimes  called 
‘‘trader,”  and  sometimes  “yeoman,”  in  contemporary  papers. 
They  had  Sarah,  1730;  EUzaheth,  1735;  Thomas  S.,  1737. 

Love,  John,  was  a poor  man.  The  town  gave  him  a piece 
of  land  on  the  top  of  Carey  Hill,  where  he  lived  in  a small 
house  which  long  since  disappeared  ; the  traces  of  which, 
with  a pear-tree  near  it,  which  he  planted,  were  lately  visible. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Susannah.  They  had  Sarah,  1736; 
Rachel,  1741;  Moses,  1745;  Rhoda,  1754;  Eunice,  1759. 

Lincoln,  Luke,  is  said  by  the  Hon.  Mr.  AVilder  in  his  ‘‘  His- 
tory of  Leominster,”  to  have  been  of  the  family  of  Gen.  Lin- 


384 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


coin  of  Revolutionary  memory.  He  came  from  Scitiiate. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Lydia.  Their  children : William^ 
Rachel,  1741;  m.  Timothy  Boutelle  of  Leominster,  1768: 
she  was  the  mother  of  Hon.  Timothy  Boutelle,  late  of  Water- 
ville.  Me.  Loring,  1746.  Lydia,  1748.  Mary,  1751 ; m.  Asa 
Meriam  of  Oxford,  1778.  Dorothy  Elizabeth  Lincoln  were 
m.  in  Leicester  (one  in  1742,  the  other  1748),  and  were  pro- 
bably sisters  of  the  above. 

LI^X0LN,  Lorixg,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Dolly  Mower,  1770. 
Had  Dorothy,  1773. 

. Mr.  Lincoln  was  the  ensign  of  the  company  in  the  eight- 
months’  service,  under  Capt.  Washburn,  which  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  lived  on  the  North-County 
Road,  in  the  house  next  east  of  where  Silas  Earle  used  to 
live. 

Mower,  Ephraim,  was  born  in  Malden  ; came  first  to  Worces- 
ter, and  then  to  Leicester;  d.  1790,  aged  sixty.  His  first  wife 
was  Mary  B.  Wheeler  of  Worcester.  They  had  Timothy,  b. 

1745.  His  second  wife  was Garfield  of  Waltham.  They 

had  Ephraim,  b.  1748 ; Thomas,  b.  1750;  all  b.  in  IVorcester, 
and  two  children  who  died  in  childhood  ; one  b.  in  Leicester. 

Mower,  Thomas,  son  of  Ephraim,  lived  upon  Mount  Pleasant, 
on  the  farm  once  owned  by  Col.  Henry  Sargent.  He  came 
from  Worcester  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  His  wife’s  name  was 
Anna  Brown  of  Worcester.  Their  children:  James  B.,  1773  ; 
d.  1832.  Ephraim,  1778.  Sarah,  1780;  d.  1855.  Huldah, 
1784.;  d.  1826.  Thomas  Gardner,  b.  1790;  d.  1853. 

Mr.  Mower  removed  to  Worcester  in  1792;  where  his  son 
Ephraim,  a wealthy  and  highly  respectable  gentleman,  is  still 
living.  James  B.  died  in  the  city  of  New  A^ork.  Sarah  m. 
John  Thayer.  Thomas  Gardner  was  graduated  at  Harvard  in 
1810,  and  should  have  been  mentioned  among  the  native-born 
graduates  of  the  town.  He  was  educated  as  a surgeon,  and 
commissioned  as  such  in  the  United-States  Army  in  1812  ; 
saw  much  service  on  the  northern  frontier  and  elsewhere ; 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


385 


and  continued  connected  'with  the  army  till  his  death,  during 
the  last  years  of  his  life,  in  the  city  of  New  York.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  of  Philadelphia. 

There  was  a Samuel  Mower,  a cousin  of  Thomas,  who  took 
his  farm  on  his  removal  to  Worcester,  and  had  Lyman  and 
Levi^  who  removed  to  Woodstock,  Yt. ; and  Nahum,  who  re- 
moved to  Montreal,  and  became  proprietor  and  editor  of  a 
leading  newspaper  in  that  city. 

Morey,  Ephraim.  His  wife’s  name  was  Abigail.  They  had 
Reuben,  1738;  Simeon,  1739;  Zenos,  1740;  Eleanor,  1744; 
Abigail,  1751;  James,  1752;  Closes,  1754;  Elizabeth,  1756. 

Merritt,  Benjamin,  came  from  Scituate ; was  a shoemaker, 
and  lived  a little  west  of  the  late  Joseph  Whittemore’s.  His 
wife’s  name  was  Sarah.  They  had  Freelove,  1758  ; m.  Phi- 
nehas  Converse.  Sarah,  1760.  Abigail,  1775.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  French  War  in  1754. 

Morse,  Abner.  His  wife  was  Keziah.  They  had  Elijah, 
1758  ; Stephen,  1759  ; Keziah,  1762. 

Newhall,  Daniel,  came,  as  I suppose,  from  Malden ; as 
Thomas,  the  first  of  the  name  in  town,  came  from  there.  He 
was  here  before  1731.  His  wife’s  name  was  Tabitha.  They 
had  Daniel,  1734;  Elizabeth,  1736;  Phiiiehas,  1742;  Samuel, 
1744.  He  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town. 

Newhall,  Daniel,  Jun.,  m.  Elizabeth  Stebbins,  1754.  Had 
James,  1756;  Sarah,  1757 ; Daniel,  1760;  John,  1762;  Eliza- 
beth, 1765. 

Newhall,  Phinehas,  son  of  Daniel,  1st.  His  wife  was 
Lydia.  They  had  e/ose^7i,  1765.  Artemas,l'lQ^.  Pern’s,  1769; 
m.  Asahel  Earle.  Joseph  removed  to  Phillipston.  Col.  New- 
hall kept  a tavern,  many  years,  on  the  North-County  Boad, 
where  Mr.  Eddy  lives. 

Newhall,  Jonathan.  His  wife’s  name  was  Hannah.  They 
had  Thomas,  1732  ; a leading,  public-spirited  man,  and  a liberal 
benefactor  to  the  town ; he  lived  where  the  late  Robert  Wat- 
son d.,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town ; and  d.,  without  children, 

49 


386 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Oct.  26,  1814,  aged  eighty-two : he  commanded  the  standing 
military  company  of  the  town,  and  marched  with  his  company 
to  Cambridge,  on  the  alarm  of  the  19th  April,  1775;  and  was 
always  known  as  Capt.  Newhall.’’  Hannah^  1734 ; m.  Eli- 
jah Harding  of  Southb ridge.  Phehe,  1736  ; m.  Jonathan 
Winslow.  Hiram, 11^%.  Dorothy , VH:^  \ m.  Ebenezer  Wash- 
burn, 1757,  brother  of  Col.  Seth.  Esther,  1742;  m.  Jockton 
Green,  1762.  Jonathan,  jun.,  1744.  Betty,  1747  ; d.  1751. 

Mr.  Newhall,  and  his  son  Jonathan  after  him,  lived  at  what 
used  to  be  called  the  Sadler  Place.  The  house  was  burned 
while  Mr.  Sadler  lived  there.  The  farm  is  now  Nathan 
Craige’s,  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town. 

Newhall,  Hiram,  son  of  the  above.  His  wife  was  Mary. 
They  had  Hiram,  1764;  Mary,  1768;  Joshua,  1770.  He  re- 
moved to  Athol. 

Newhall,  Jonathan,  Jun.,  brother  of  the  above.  His  wife 
was  Mary.  They  had  Mary  ; m.  Solomon  Keyes,  Cambridge, 
Yt.  Anna.  Thomas,  1776.  Lucy,  1778.  Hetty,  1791.  Wit- 
liam,  1793.  The  family  removed  to  Warren,  K.I.  William 
m.  Almira,  dau.  of  Winthrop  Earle,  1818 ; and  lived  in 
Leicester  many  years  ; then  removed  to  Fall  River. 

Newhall,  John.  His  wife’s  name  was  Dorothy.  They  had 
Allen,  1743;  John,  1745;  Betty,  1748.  Mr.  Newhall  came 
from  Spencer  to  Leicester  in  1774. 

Nichols,  Joshua,  came  from  Malden ; was  a tailor  by  trade; 
was  employed  as  a schoolmaster  at  one  time ; was  chosen  one 
of  the  assessors  at  the  first  town-meeting.  He  m.  Ruth,  a 
dau.  of  Capt.  Samuel  Green;  and  had  Catherine,  1721.  Caleb, 
1722.  Ruth,  1724;  m.  Thomas  Moore  of  Worcester,  1746. 
James,  1725.  Abijah,  1728.  Jeremiah,  1730.  Mr.  Nichols 
lived  on  the  Deacon  Rockwood  Place,  on  the  Charlton  Road. 

Nichols,  Caleb,  son  of  above,  m.  Lucy  Smith  ; and  had 
John,  1752.  Lucy,  1756  ; m.  Daniel  Carpenter.  Catherine, 
1757.  Abigail,  1759.  Caleb,  1761.  He  lived  on  the  cross- 
road from  the  Deacon  Rockwood  Place  to  the  turnpike. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


387 


Nevers,  Elisha,  by  bis  wife  Bathsheba,  had  Pliinelias, 
1726  ; Nathan j 1728  ; Martha,  1731  ; Samuel,  1736  ; Jabez, 
1738.  He  lived  at  the  Amos  Craige  Place,  in  the  south  part 
of  the  town. 

Parsons,  Eev.  David.  He  has  been  too  fully  noticed  in 
this  work  to  require  any  further  remark.  He  was  b.  in  North- 
ampton, 1680  ; was  graduated  at  Harvard,  1705.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Sarah.  They  had  David,  1712  ; graduated  at  Har- 
vard, 1729  ; settled  as  a minister  in  Amherst,  1739  ; d.  1781. 
Nathan,  1721  ; removed  to  Belchertown,  1746 ; d.  1806. 
Israel.  A daughter,  1724,  — name  not  known.  Solomon, 
1726. 

Mr.  Parsons  d.  1743,  aged  sixty-three;  his  wife,  1759,  aged 
seventy-three.  Meekness  does  not  seem  to  have  been  a dis- 
tinguishing trait  in  his  character. 

Parsons,  Israel,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Hannah  Waite  of 
Malden,  1750,  for  his  first  wife;  and  Lois  Wiley  of  Lynn,  for 
his  second,  in  1761.  His  children  were  Hannah,  1751 ; Sarah, 
1754;  Deborah,  I'l bo ) Israel,  1757;  Ehenezer,  1762;  James, 
1763 ; Buth,  1765. 

Mr.  Parsons  lived,  a part  of  his  life,  in  the  house  opposite 
Mrs.  NewhalPs,  on  the  Rutland  Road ; and,  a part  of  it,  in  the 
house  where  his  father  had  lived,  north-east  of  the  Meeting- 
house He  d.  1767.  But,  though  all  his  children  were  then 
living,  I have  been  unable  to  trace  them.  None  of  them  or 
their  descendants  appear  in  the  town  for  more  than  fifty 
years  past. 

Parsons,  Solomon,  son  of  David,  was  a physician,  and  also 
deacon  of  the  Congregational  Church.  He  m.  Elizabeth  Tay- 
lor, 1752;  and  had  Elizabeth,  1753;  m.  Jonathan  Hubbard  of 
Paxton,  1771.  Phebe,  1755  ; m.  Abijah  Brown,  1775.  Solo- 
mon, 1757.  Dr.  Parsons  is  noticed  among  the  physicians  of 
the  town. 

Parsons,  Solomon,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Rebecca  C. 
Wesson  of  Shrewsbury,  1789.  He  lived  on  the  North-County 


388 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Koad,  till  he  removed  to  Worcester,  about  1812.  He  had 
Samudj  1791  ; went  to  Louisiana,  and  d.  1817.  Elizabeth^ 
1793;  m.  Ira  Bryant  of  Worcester.  Sally^  1794;  m.  E.  N. 
Child  of  Worcester.  Bloomfield^  1796  ; d.  in  New  Orleans, 
1815.  Maria,  1794  ; d.  1804.  Solomon,  1800  ; lives  in 
Worcester.  Mr.  Parsons  is  noticed  in  other  places  in  this 
work.  He  d.  1831 : his  wife  d.  1836. 

Pike,  Oxesephieus.  His  wife  was  Mary  Saunderson.  They 
had  James,  1729.  Onesepkirus,  1731;  who  removed  to  Stur- 
bridge.  And  Mary,  a twin;  m.  Stephen  Tucker,  1750.  And, 
I suppose,  Sarah;  who  m.  Ephraim  Amsden,  1749.  He  lived 
north  of  the  Bond  Place,  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town. 
He  came  from  Weston  to  Leicester. 

Potter,  John,  Jun.  His  wife’s  name  was  Lydia.  They  had 
AJzm,  1730  ; Zyc/ia,  1733;  Itohert,\lZb',  Hannah,  XIZQ.  His 
second  wife  was  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  William  Earle.  They  had 
William,  1738;  Lois,  1741 ; Mary,  1745.  Mr.  Potter  d.  1797, 
aged  seventy-three. 

Mr.  Potter  came  from  Lynn ; was  a housewright.  His 
father  bought  of  Benjamin  Potter,  in  1726,  half  the  lot  where 
he  lived,  about  one  mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house,  pre- 
viously belonging  to  Samuel  Stimpson,  and  conveyed  it  to 
this  John,  1728.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  was  built  by 
his  father  John  in  1728,  and  was  lately  owned  by  Thomas 
Smith,  and,  before  that,  by  Jacob  Bond. 

Potter,  Nathaniel,  m.  Rebekah ; and  had  Nathanid, 

1732;  Ruth,  1735;  and  Elizabeth,  older  than  these,  who 
m.  Steward  Southgate,  1750. 

He  lived  in  the  northerly  part  of  the  town,  next  east  of 
John  Potter,  — the  Jonah  Earle  Farm.  Mrs.  Potter  d.  1799, 
aged  seventy. 

Pierce,  Thomas,  m.  Hannah  Locke ; and  had  Hannah,  b. 
1723;  m.  William  Bullard,  jun.,  1741.  Benjamin,  \1 2b.  Tho- 
mas, 1726  or  ’27. 

Mr.  Pierce  came  from  .Woburn  about  1722.  In  1723,  he 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


389 


was  pound-keeper,  and  had  charge  of  the  Meeting-house.  He 
lived  on  the  Oxford  Road,  on  the  east  side  of  it,  south  of 
Eber  Bond’s,  in  a house  long  since  removed.  He  left  Leices- 
ter, and  went  to  Hopkinton,  in  1728. 

Parkman,  Alexander.  He  came  from  Westborough  ; was 
a clothier;  owned  the  shop  where  Samuel  Watson  afterwards 
carried  on  business  in  Cherry  Talley ; and  lived  in  the 
house  lately  occupied  by  Rufus  L^pham,  which  he  bought  of 
the  Southgates,  1771.  His  wife’s  name  was  Keziah.  They 
had  Robert  Breck,  1771 ; Alexander^  1773. 

Paine,  Jabez,  m.  Elizabeth  Hubbard  of  Worcester,  1753; 
and  had  Ruth^  1751.  Jabez,  1756;  removed  to  Westminster, 
Tt.  ^71??,  1758.  Elizabeth  G.,  1761;  m.  Hezekiah  Saunder- 
son,  1780.  Anna,  1763.  Chloe,  1765;  m.  Joshua  Wood, 
Townshend,  Tt.,  1786.  Rebekah,  1768  ; m.  Benjamin  Hubbard, 
1787.  William,  1769^ 

Mr.  Paine  lived  in  the  first  house  on  the  road  leading  by 
the  late  Joseph  Whittemore’s,  which  was  burned,  and  stood 
where  the  present  one  does.  His  son  William  also  lived 
there  till  his  removal  with  his  family  to  Mercer  in  Maine.  He 
m.  Relief  Ward  of  Worcester,  1797. 

Parker,  Thomas.  He  lived  on  the  Charlton  Road,  the  last 
house  next  to  Charlton.  His  wife’s  name  was  Lucy.  The}" 
had  Thomas  J.,  1764;  d.  1769.  Mary,  1769.  Sarah,  1771. 
John, 1114:',  lived  where  his  father  lived;  d.  1849.  Elizabeth, 
1777.  Thomas,  jun.,  1779;  who  lived  in  Charlton;  m.  Lucy 
Dunbar  of  Leicester. 

Mr.  Parker  d.  1815,  aged  eighty. 

Rawson,  Edward,  Esq.,  came  from  ^lendon,  where  he  was 
born  1721,  and  where  his  children  were  born.  He  came 
to  Leicester  soon  after  the  war.  He  was  a descendant  in 
the  fourth  degree  from  Secretary  Rawson  of  Colonial  memo- 
ry ; a grandson  of  the  eminent  divine,  Grindal  Rawson  of 
Mendon.  He  represented  Mendon  in  the  Provincial  Congress 
and  in  the  General  Court;  and  was  a member  of  the  Constitu- 


390 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


tional  Convention,  1779.  He  was  an  active  magistrate  while 
in  Leicester,  and  highly  respected.  He  lived  at  one  time  at 
the  comer  of  Flip  Road  ; afterwards  just  east  of  Town- 
Meadow  Brook,  or,  as  it  nsed  to  be  called,  “ Rawson  Brook, 
half  a mile  west  of  the  Meeting-house;  where  he  d.  Feb.  11, 
1S07,  aged  eighty-six. 

Only  two  of  his  eight  children  came  to  Leicester,  — Edward 
and  Xancy : who  d.  unmarried,  ISIS,  aged  ninety-one. 

Rawson,  Edward,  son  of  the  above,  was  b.  1754:  was  a 
physician : m.  Margaret  Steele,  dan.  of  Judge  Steele ; and 
had  J/ary,  b.  1779.  Benjamin  Bemberton^  17S1.  ^largaret  S'., 
17S4 : d.  17S5. 

Dr.  Rawson  is  noticed  elsewhere.  He  lived  where  his  fa- 
ther died.  His  wife  died  Sept.  6, 17S4.  His  son,  Benjamin  P., 
went  to  Hudson,  X.Y. : and,  on  the  death  of  his  sister  Xancy, 
the  family  became  extinct  in  Leicester. 

Russ,  Hezekiah,  came  from  Lexington.  His  wife^s  name 
was  Deborah.  Their  children  were  Dehorah,  1710;  Jiar- 
garetj  1714:  Abigail,  1718;  John,  1720. 

Mr.  Russ  was  in  Leicester  before  1721.  He  was  chosen 
constable  at  the  first  town-meeting,  and  was  one  of  the  gran- 
tees of  the  settlers'  half  of  the  town  : being  proprietor  of  Lot 
Xo.  8,  about  a half-mile  from  the  Main  Street,  on  the  Charl- 
ton Road. 

Richardson,  Thomas,  came  from  Malden.  His  wife's  name 
was  Elizabeth.  They  had  Elizabeth,  1718.  Samuel,  1722. 
James,  1723.  Phdip,  1725.  ^lary,  1729.  Bebekah,  1731: 
m.  James  Smith  of  Leicester,  1751. 

His  second  wife  was  Jane.  They  had  Lucy,  1740.  Eliza- 
beth. 1741 : m.  Xathan  Lamb  of  Spencer. 

Mr.  Richardson  lived  in  what  was  the  Baptist  Parsonage 
House. 

His  son  Philip  commanded  a company  of  men  in  Col.  Rug- 
gles's  regiment,  at  Fort  William  Henry,  in  August,  1756. 

Richardson,  Benjamin.  His  wife  was  Patience.  They  had 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


391 


Abigail,  1725.  Benjamin,  1731.  Elizaheth,  1734;  m.  Xathan 
Earle.  Xathaniel,  1737. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  a housewright  bv  trade. 

Richardson,  Benjamin,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above ; m.  Eunice 
Swan,  dau.  of  Dudley  Wade,  1758;  and  had  Abigail,  1760; 
Benjamin,  1764  ; Phinehas,  1767  ; A/iemas,  1768  ; Asa, 
17 1 1 ; Eaty,  1 m 3. 

Mr.  Richardson  owned  and  lived  on  the  farm  where  Mrs. 
Xewhall  lives,  half  a mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house,  which 
he  bought  of  Israel  Parsons,  1760.  He  sold  this  to  John 
Lyon  in  1777,  and  removed  to  Sterling.  When  he  was  mar- 
ried, he  was  called  of  Worcester. 

Richardson,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Benjamin,  1st,  m.  Ruth  Gil- 
key  of  Plainfield.  He  owned  and  lived  on  the  Bridge’s 
Farm,  in  south-east  part  of  the  town.  They  had  William, 
1764;  Semple,  1767. 

Ryan,  Anthony,  was  probably  from  Ireland  ; as  there  was  a 
John  Ryan  from  Leicester,  a soldier  in  the  French  War,  who 
was  from  there.  His  wife's  name  was  Margaret.  They  had 
John,  1743.  Mary,  1745  ; m.  Walter  Fanning,  “a  Foregnor,** 
1769.  Katherine,  1746  ; m.  John  Mansfield  of  Boston.  Sa- 
rah, 1748.  Samuel,  1750.  Susannah,  1752.  Daniel,  1755. 
Margaret,  1760.  Susannah,  1762.  Hannah,  1765. 

Mr.  Ryan  owned  a part  of  the  Mount-Pleasant  Farm. 

Sargent,  Jonathan,  belonged  to  Malden,  and  came  to 
Leicester  before  1728.  He  built,  and  kept  as  a tavern,  the 
house  which  stood  opposite  the  present  Catholic  Church,  till 
his  death.  He  was  b.  1701 ; and  m.  Deborah  Richardson, 
1726.  His  children  were  Jonathan,  1728.  Xathaniel,  1730. 
Lucretia,  1734;  m.,  first.  Dr.  Pliny  Lawton;  second.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Conklin.  Deborah,  1739;  m.  Thomas  Newhall. 
Ruth,  1744;  m.  Col.  William  Henshaw.  Phinehas,  1746. 

Sargent,  Jonathan,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of 
Robert  Earle,  1750  : and  had  Jonathan,  3d,  1752.  He  lived  on 
Mount  Pleasant,  where  Benjamin  Earle  has  lived ; died  in  the 


% 


392 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


army,  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Mary^  1753;  m.  Timothy 
Sprague.  Eleanor ^ 1754  ; m.  John  Southgate.  William,  1756  ; 
m.  Rachel,  sister  of  Capt.  Todd,  in  1755 ; he  went  to  Canada. 
Catlierine,  m.  Amos  Livermore,  1790.  Samud,  1761.  Elihu, 
1764;  d.,  unmarried,  about  1835. 

Mr.  Sargent  lived  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  town,  on 
the  Auburn  Road,  a short  distance  from  the  turnpike.  The 
house  is  now  standing. 

Sargent,  Nathaniel,  son  of  Jonathan,  1st,  m.  Anne  Garfield, 
1753;  and  had  Nathanid,  2d,  1754;  d.  1757.  Mary,  1756; 
m.  Daniel  Hubbard.  Deborah,  1759;  m.  Capt.  James  Earle, 
1786.  Hadadrirarnon,  1762.  Betsey.  Ruth;  d.,  unmarried, 
about  1809.  He  lived  a little  west  of  the  Pond,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road.  ^ 

Sargent,  Phinehas,  son  of  Jonathan,  1st,  m.  Mary  Edson 
of  Simsbury,  Conn.,  1766;  and  Abigail  Dunbar,  for  second 
wife,  1772 ; and  had  Lucretia,  April  10, 1768  ; m.  Col.  Thomas 
Denny;  d.  April  12,1858:  a lady  of  great  worth  and  respec- 
tability ; bright,  cheerful,  and  intelligent  to  the  last ; forming, 
while  she  lived,  a connecting  link  between  the  ante-Revolu- 
tionary  period  and'  our  own,  which  no  one  is  left  to  supply. 
Phinehas,  111^).  Artemas,\llZ‘,  d.,  1822,  unmarried.  Mary, 
Vllo  ; m.  William  Moffit.  His  first  wife  d.  September,  1J70. 

Sargent,  Samuel,  son  of  Jonathan,  2d,  m.  Patty  Johnson, 
1784.  He  lived  in  various  places  in  town,  though  for  many 
years  where  his  father  had  lived.  He  removed  to  the ‘State 
of  New  York  pretty  late  in  life.;  and  d.  October,  1830.  His 
children  were  Samud,  1785;  lives  in  Ohio.  Charlotte,  1787; 
m.  John  Pike.  Eleanor,  1789;  m.  Elisha  Pike.  Lucretia, 
1791;  m.  Abner  Wallen.  William  F.,  1793;  lives  in  Ohio. 
Loring  L.,  1794  ; removed  to  Ohio.  Arnold  G.,  1796  ; in  Ohio. 
Palmer  G.,  1798.  Evdina,  1800;  m.  Simon  Phillips.  Palmer 
G.,  1802;  went  to  New  York.  Almira,  1804;  m.  Silas  Boyn- 
ton. Louisa,  1805  ; m.  George  Gierson.  Winthrop  E.,  1808  ; 
lives  in  Brookfield.  >S'aroA,  1811 ; m.  David  Aldrich. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


393 


Sargent,  Nathan,  brother  of  Jonathan,  1st,  came  from 
]\Ialden  ; settled  on  Chestnut  Hill,  so  called,  adjoining  the 
town  of  Worcester,  where  his  grandson  Sewall  Sargent  lives. 
His  first  wife  was  Mary,  dau.  of  Joseph,  and  grand-niece  of 
Jonathan,  1st,  1742.  Their  children  were  Lydia,  1743 ; 
m.,  1st,  J.  AVatson ; 2d,  N.  Kellog.  Nathan,  2d,  1746;  re- 
moved to  New  Braintree.  1749;  d.  same  }mar.  His 

second  vdfe  was  Mary,  dau.  of  Daniel  Denm",  1751.  They 
had  Mercy,  1751 ; m.  Micah  Reed  of  AVestmoreland,  N.H., 
1796.  Samuel,  1754.  3Iary,  1755;  m.  David  Henshaw,  Esq. 
Itehekah,  1758;  d.  1785.  John,  1759.  Sarah,  1763;  m. 
William  Sprague  of  Leicester.  Anna,  1767 ; m.  John  Hay- 
ward, 1795. 

Air.  Sargent  was  a stanch  patriot.  He  is  mentioned,  in 
connection  with  the  march  of  the  Leicester  troops,  as  having 
melted  his  clock-weights  to  provide  bullets  for  the  soldiers. 
He  d.  1799,  aged  eighty-one.  His  wife,  a.  very  intelligent 
lady,  survived  till  1822,  ninety-five  years  of  age. 

Sargent,  Samuel,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Alary,  dau.  of  Seth 
AVashburn,  1781 ; and  had  Ruth,  1782  ; m.  Benjamin  Dunklee  ; 
d,  1840.  J/ary,  1784;  m.  Joel  Estabrook  ; d.  1830.  3Iargaret, 
1786;  m.  AV.  Arnold;  d.  1834.  Clarissa,  1788;  m.  Ira  Gale. 
Sarah  D.,  1790;  m.  Daniel  Joy;  d.  1836.  Air.  Sargent 
removed  to  Putney,  A^t.,  about  1790 ; and  his  children  born 
after  that  were  born  in  that  town.  Among  them  is  tlie  Hon. 
Nathan  (b.  1794)  of  AAhishington  City,  once  a Judge  of  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  in  Alabama ; once  Serjeant-at-Arms  of  Con- 
gress, Registrar-General  of  the  United-States  Land  Ofiice,  and 
Registrar  of  the  Treasur}".  Samuel,  b.  1796;  was  a physi- 
cian in  New  York;  d.  1846.  Air.  Sargent  d.  1825,  aged 
seventy-one:  Airs.  Sargent  d.  1848,  aged  eighty-nine.  He 
lived,  while  in  Leicester,  in  the  house  which  Deacon  Alurdoch 
enlarged  and  occupied,  about  a half-mile  west  of  the  Aleeting- 
house. 

Sargent,  John,  brother  of  the  last,  m.  Sarah  Gates,  1783; 

60 


* • 


394 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


and,  for  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Isaac  Denny,  1818.  His  chil- 
dren: Hsa,  1784;  m.  Charlotte  Earle;  d.  1854.  Betsey^  1786; 
m.  David  Andrews  of  Hingham,  and  is  mother  of  Major- 
Gen.  Andrews  of  Boston.  Julia,  1788  ; d.,  unmarried,  1818. 
Rehehah,  1792;  m.  Lewis  Cutting;  d.  1843.  Anna,  1795; 
m.  Ebenezer  A.  Howard ; d.  1820.  John,  1797 ; lived  in 
Leicester ; a trader  and  postmaster ; m.  Mary  A.,  dau.  of 
Billings  Swan ; and,  for  his  second  wife,  Abigail  Ward  ; had 
children  ; d.  1850.  Sally,  1797  ; twin  with  John;  m.  J.  A. 
Smith,  Esq.,  of  Leicester;  d.  1849.  Sewall,  1799;  lives  in 
Leicester ; m.  Laura  Woodworth,  and  has  a family  of  chil- 
dren. 

Mr.  Sargent  lived  where  his  son  Sewall  now  does,  and 
owned  a gristmill,  which  stood  where  the  brick  factory  now 
does.  He  was  in  the  service  during  the  Devolution ; a valua- 
ble citizen,  much  respected  in  the  town. 

S ARGENT,  Joseph,  brother  of  Nathan’s  first  wife  ; son  of 
Joseph  of  Malden,  where  he  was  born,  1716.  He  m.  Hannah 
Whittemore  for  his  first,  and  Martha  Grout  for  his  second 
wife.  His  children  were  Daniel,  1750;  removed  to  Holden. 
Hannah,  1754;  m.  William  Waite.  Joseph,  1757.  Patty, 
1759;  d.,  unmarried,  1831.  Rachel,  1761;  d.,  unmarried, 
1831.  Stephen,  1762;  went  to  Canada,  and  died  there. 

Mr.  Sargent  lived  in  a house  that  stood  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Great  Post  Road,  west  of  Mr.  John  Sargent’s,  near 
where  Asa  Sargent  built  a new  house. 

Sargent,  Joseph,  2d,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Denny.  He  lived  a part  of  the  time  in  a house  that 
stood  next  west  of  the  house  in  which  Dr.  Austin  Flint  lived, 
now  removed,  upon  what  is  now  a part  of  the  Common ; and 
d.  there  in  1787.  His  children  were  Henry,  1783.  Sophia, 
1788  ; m.  Daniel  ^fiFarland  in  1813  ; and,  after  his  death 
in  1818,  m.  Horace  McFarland  in  1822.  Joseph  D.,  1787.  Col. 
Henry  Sargent  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  William  Denny,  1812. 
He  was  a very  successful  business-man  ; held  many  offices. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


395 


civil  and  military ; and  was  a distinguished  citizen  in  the 
county  as  well  as  the  town.  He  was  a member  of  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention  in  1821 ; d.  1829.  The  house  in 
which  he  lived  stood  where  Mr.  Eice’s  store  is,  at  the  corner 
of  Main  Street  and  the  Charlton  Road.  He  left  a family  of 
children ; two  of  whom  were  graduates  of  Harvard  Univer- 
sity, and  both  physicians  in  Worcester.  Henry,  the  youngest, 
d.  1857.  The  other  (Joseph)  holds  an  eminent  rank  in  his 
profession.  He  is  mentioned  among  the  graduates  of  the 
town.  Col.  Joseph  was  also  a leading  and  influential  man, 
and  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Court  in  1816.  He 
m.  Mindwell  Jones  of  Spencer;  d.  1849,  leaving  a family  of 
children.  One  son  (Edward)  is  now  in  business  in  Leicester. 
Mrs.  Sargent  d.  after  her  husband. 

Sargent,  Thomas,  came  from  Malden  ; was  the  son  of  Sa- 
muel, and  cousin  of  Jonathan  1st,  and  Kathan.  He  was  born 
1720;  m.  Tabitha  Tuttle.  He  lived  in  Leicester  some  years, 
and  then  removed  to  Hubbardston.  His  children  were  Abi- 
gail^ 1750;  m.  Zaccheus  Hasey.  Thomas^  1752;  lived  in 
the  north  part  of  the  town,  next  north  of  where  Barnard 
Upham  formerly  lived;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Daniel  Denny:  he 
died  without  children,  and  his  widow  became  second  wife  of 
Col.  Seth  Washburn.  John,  1755  ; m.  Hannah  Bond,  dau.  of 
Benjamin,  for  his  fourth  wife  : lived  sometimes  in  Hubbards- 
ton, and  sometimes  in  Leicester;  d.  1837.  Ehenezer,Yi^2', 
lived  in  Hubbardston.  Samuel,  m.  Deborah,  dau.  of  Peter 
Silvester,  1772  ; and  lived  in  Marlborough,  X.H. 

Southgate,  Richard,  came  with  Daniel  Denny  from  Coombs, 
Suffolk,  Eng.,  in  1715.  The  next  year  he  went  back  for 
his  family;  and  brought  them  over  in  July,  1717,  and  with 
them  his  brother  James.  The  next  March,  1718,  the  South- 
gates  and  Denny  removed  to  Leicester,  and  settled  there.  I 
do  not  know  what  circumstance  led  them  to  select  that  spot. 
Mr.  Southgate  became  an  extensive  land-owner  in  the  town, 
and  is  one  of  the  grantees  in  the  settlers’  deed  ; Lots  Xo.  35, 


396 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


41,  and  42,  being  conveyed  to  him  by  that  deed.  In  1737,  he 
owned  seven  hundred  and  seventy  acres  in  the  town. 

He  was  the  first  treasurer  of  the  town,  and  was  much 
employed  as  a surveyor  of  lands ; being  a skilful  and  trust- 
worthy person.  The  name  of  his  father  was  John.  Richard 
was  born  1671,  and  m.  Elizabeth  Steward,  October,  1700. 
They  had  six  children,  all  born  in  England ; five  of  whom 
came  to  Leicester:  Steward,  b.  1703.  Elizabeth,  1705;  d., 
1791,  unmarried.  Hannah,  1709  ; m.  Nathaniel  Waite  of 
Leicester,  1737  ; d.  1754.  Mary,  1712;  m.  Daniel  Livermore 
of  Weston,  1732.  Richard,  1714. 

He  died  1758,  aged  eighty-eight : his  wife  died  1751,  in 
the  eighty-eighth  year  of  her  age.  They  are  said  to  be  the 
ancestors  of  all  of  the  name  in  New  England. 

Southgate,  Steward,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Elizabeth  Scott 
of  Palmer,  then  called  the  “Elbow,”  in  1735,  while  he  was 
living  there.  About  1740,  he  returned  to  Leicester,  and  spent 
the  rest  of  his  days  there.  Their  children  were  John,  1738. 
Robert,  1741 ; who  was  a physician  ; removed  to  Scarborough, 
Me.,  and  is  noticed  in  this  work.  Margaret,  1743.  Sar'ah, 
1744;  m.  Azariah  Dickinson  of  Hadley.  Stewai'd,  HAS.  He 
married,  and  removed  to  Hardwick,  and  was  a soldier  in  the 
Revolution.  After  the  war,  he  went  to  Barnard,  Yt. ; where, 
in  1795,  he  lost  five  children  by  the  canker-rash,  within  a few 
days  of  each  other. 

Mr.  Southgate  married  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  Potter, 
for  his  second  wife  ; and  had  Amos,  1751  ; who  was  married, 
and  had  a daughter  born  after  his  death,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Jonah  Earle:  Amos  d.  in  Boston,  1775.  Rebekah, 
1754;  d.  1756.  Ruth,  1758;  d.  at  Boston,  1777.  Moses, 
1761;  d.  at  Boston,  1777. 

His  second  wife  d.  1748  : he  died  1765.  Mr.  Southgate 
was  at  first  a member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  but 
became  a zealous  and  leading  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends ; to  which  society  his  second  wife’s  father  belonged 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


397 


prior  to  1732.  He  must  have  been  well  educated  for  his 
daj ; and  seems  to  have  possessed  a clear  head,  strong  pur- 
pose, and,  withal,  great  sensibility  and  Christian  resignation. 
He  had  a commanding  influence  among  his  religious  bre- 
thren ; and  the  memoranda  that  he  left  allude  in  terms  of 
deep  emotion  to  the  afflictions  through  which  he  was  called 
to  pass. 

Southgate,  John,  son  of  Steward,  m.  Eleanor  Sargent,  dau. 
of  Jonathan,  1776;  and  had  Sally,  who  d.  unmarried.  John, 
1778  ; d.  1804,  unmarried,  as  related  in  this  work.  William, 
1782;  d.,  unmarried,  1811;  he  was  rather  a skilful  and  ta- 
lented painter;  he  had  cultivated  his  taste  under  several 
masters;  among  others,  Ralph  Earle,  to  whom  he  was  remotely 
related  ; and  by  instruction  of  Gilbert  Stuart : the  depart- 
ment of  art  to  which  he  devoted  his  attention  was  that  of 
portraits,  in  which  he  would  probably  have  attained  a distin- 
guished reputation,  had  he  diligently  devoted  himself  to  it  as 
a profession.  Harriot,  1792;  d.,  unmarried,  1841.  Eliza, 
1796;  m.  Jacob  Bigelow,  then  of  Montreal;  where  she  died, 
leaving  one  son.  Dr.  George  F.  Bigelow  of  Boston.  George 
W.,  1800;  now  living.  Mrs.  Southgate  d.  1825. 

Southgate,  James,  came  with  his  brother  Richard  from 
England,  as  above  stated.  He  became  a proprietor  of  the 
settlers’  half  of  the  town,  as  owner  of  Lot  No.  30.  At  the 
first  town-meeting,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  selectmen,  and 
surveyor  of  highways.  He,  with  his  brother  and  several 
other  inhabitants  of  Leicester,  addressed  a letter  to  the  Gov- 
ernor in  1725,  asking  for  soldiers  to  guard  the  town  from  the 
Indians. 

He  was  deacon  of  the  church,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
settling  Mr.  Parsons  in  1720.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mary  ; and 
they  had  one  son  [James),  1718,  who  m.  Dorothy  Lincoln 
in  1741,  and  had  a daughter  [Dorothy),  1746.  But  I find  no 
traces  of  the  family  after  that  period.  His  house  was  a little 
north  of  Mr.  Morton’s,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Southgate,  Richard,  son  of  Richard,  1st,  came  with  his 
father  from  England ; m.  Eunice  Brown,  dau.  of  Samuel,  1741 . 
and  had  Richard^  1742;  removed  to  Bridgewater,  Yt.  Isaac, 
1744.  Samuel,  1747;  lived  in  various  places;  d.  in  Scar- 
borough, 1773.  Elijah,  1751;  m.  Patty  Hastings;  d.  in 
Shrewsbury,  1837,  aged  eighty-seven,  without  children.  Jo- 
nas, 1753  ; m.  Mary  Whitney,  Grafton,  1782  ; d.  1784.  Eunice, 
1757;  d.  unmarried.  Judah,  1761;  d.  1799;  m.  Susannah 
Taylor  of  Spencer  in  1798.  Mercy,  d.  unmarried. 

Mr.  Southgate  was  known  as  “ Elder,’’  and  was  a Baptist 
preacher.  He  held  meetings  in  the  schoolhouse,  Avhen  it 
stood  where  the  brick  factory  now  stands,  opposite  to  where 
Esquire  Rawson  lived.  He  lived  in  the  south-west  part  of 
the  town,  near  the  line  of  Spencer;  and  was  a farmer. 

Southgate,  Isaac,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Rebekah  Brown, 
dau.  of  John  Brown,  1769;  and  had  Rebehah,  1770;  m.  a 
Hodges  of  the  State  of  New  York.  Mr.  Southgate  m.,  for 
his  second  wife,  Eunice  White,  1771;  and  had  Asa,  1772. 
Betsey,  m.  Nathan  Beers,  1790.  Samuel, Eunice, 

1779;  m.  Sylvanus  Earle;  removed  to  Ohio;  d.  1835.  Isaac, 
1782. 

Mr.  Southgate  d.  1800,  aged  fifty-six.  Samuel  m.  Hannah 
Waite,  1801 ; and  had  a family  of  children  in  Leicester.  One 
son  (John  P.)  lives  in  Worcester;  one  (Samuel)  is  in  business 
in  Leicester.  Isaac  m.  Maria,  dau.  of  Peter  Webb,  Esq.,  and 
grand-dau.  of  Thomas  Denny,  sen.  He  has  been  one  of  the 
active  business-men  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  town 
for  many  years ; a manufacturer  of  cards.  He  has  repre- 
sented the  town  in  the  Legislature ; and  has  taken  an  active 
part,  as  Trustee  of  the  Worcester-County  Agricultural  Society, 
in  promoting  the  interests  of  that  important  association. 

Stone,  Jonas,  came  from  Brookfield.  He  at  first  lived  at 
the  tan-yard  house,  at  the  foot  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill. 
He  afterwards  lived  in  the  Academy  Building,  until  his  re- 
moval to  Boston  about  1806.  He  m.  Lucretia  Baldwin  of 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


399 


Shrewsbury,  1784;  and  had  Lucy  (7.,  1785  ; m.  Paul  Whitney 
of  Boston.  Henry  B.,  1786  ; he  learned  the  trade  of  a sad- 
dler, and  lived  in  Leicester  till  his  father  removed  to  Boston ; 
after  going  to  Boston,  he  became  engaged  in  business  of 
finance,  and,  by  his  integrity,  skill,  and  sagacity  in  that  de- 
partment, won  the  confidence  of  all ; he  was  the  principal 
instrument  of  originating  and  carrying  out  the  ‘‘  Sutfolk- 
Bank  system  of  exchange,  as  it  was  called  ; he  was  the 
President  of  that  institution  for  many  years : he  m.  Elizabeth 
Clapp,  and  left  several  children ; but  his  history  belongs 
rather  to  the  home  of  his  adoption  than  that  of  his  earlier 
days.  Lucretia  B.,  1787  ; d.  unmarried.  Artemas,  1789.  Jo- 
nas E.j  1792;  now  a merchant  in  Philadelphia.  Louisa  i!/., 
1797;  d.  in  Leicester  in  1811.  William  W.,  1798;  a mer- 
chant in  New-York  City. 

Mr.  Stone  came  from  Boston  to  Shrewsbury  in  1821.  He 
d.  1851,  aged  ninety-three  : his  wife  d.  in  1847,  aged  eighty- 
four.  He  was  a man  much  respected  and  esteemed,  and  had 
a wide  circle  of  acquaintance  and  friends. 

Smith,  James,  m.  Dorcas  Richardson,  1727 ; and  had  James, 
1728.  Dorcas.  Abigail,  1733;  m.  John  Lamb.  Israel,  1735. 
Nathaniel,  1738.  Deborah,  1741  ; m.  Elijah  Howe,  1759. 
Beulah,  1743  ; m.  Ebenezer  Collin,  1770. 

Mr.  Smith  lived  on  the  Robert  Watson  Farm,  adjoining 
Spencer.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Louisburg  expedition  in 
1745.  His  estate  was  settled  in  1750;  when  Israel  is  not 
named  in  the  proceedings.  His  widow  m.  Samuel  Lynde,  and 
lived  on  the  same  estate.  James,  the  son,  removed  to  Spen- 
cer. He  was  a soldier  in  the  French  War,  and  d.  in  the  ser- 
vice. The  father  is  called  a housewright,  in  a deed  of  1733. 

Stower,  Asa,  came  from  Malden.  His  first  wife  was  Eliza- 
beth Upham.  After  her  death,  he  came  to  Leicester,  and 
m.  Rebekah  Lynde,  1761  ; and  had  Daniel,  1762;  Elizabeth, 
1764;  Hmos,  1765;  Thomas,  Vi^l 1769;  Samuel,  I’ll!. 

Stower,  Abijah,  m.  Tabitha  Hasey,  1761 ; and  had  Samuel, 


400 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1762;  Nathan;  Ahijah,  1768.  Mr.  Slower  was  a soldier  in 
Capt.  Washburn’s  company,  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  In 
1776,  he  lived  at  the  Baptist  Parsonage-house,  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town.  It  is  believed  he  went  to  Putney,  Yt. 

Saunderson,  John,  was  a housewright;  came  from  Water- 
town  between  1720  and  1730.  He  bought  a farm  in  the 
north-west  part  of  the  town,  west  of  the  Cedar  Swamp  and 
adjoining  Peter’s  Hill,  in  1728.  His  will  was  dated  in  1750  ; 
in  which  he  mentions  his  children,  most  of  whom  were  born 
before  his  removal  to  Leicester:  viz.,  Benjamin^  1707.  Ehen- 
ezer^  1716.  Hannah^  1704;  m.  a Kingsbury.  Ahiah^  1706; 
m.  a Coolidge.  3Iehitahel^  1714;  m.  a Dix.  Prudence^  1710; 
m.  Joshua  Smith.  Tabithay  1721;  m.  Nahum  Newton.  Mary^ 
1701;  m.  Onesiphorus  Pike.  Lydia,  1723.  He  had  repre- 
sented Watertown  in  the  General  Court,  1711  and  1712. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Hannah  Stratton;  m.  1700. 

Saunderson,  Benjamin,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  Nathaniel  Green,  1736 ; and  had  Elizabeth,  1737 ; 
m.  Ebenezer  Call,  1762.  Benjamin,  1740.  Mary,  1742; 
m.  Joseph  Call,  1762.  John,  1744.  James,  1746.  Phinehas, 
1751.  Azubah,  1754.  Rufus,  1759. 

Mr.  Saunderson  lived  upon  the  George  Bond  Place,  in  the 
north-west  part  of  the  town. 

Saunderson,  Ebenezer,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Hannah 
Whitney;  and  had  Hannah,  1747;  m.  John  Saunderson  of 
Hartford,  N.Y.,  1769.  Ebenezer,  Mi Hezekiah,\1o^.  Phebe, 
1754.  Israel,  1755.  Phebe,  1757.  Hezekiah  was  corporal  in 
Capt.  Washburn’s  company  at  Bunker  Hill.  Ebenezer  Avas 
in  the  same  company,  and  also  Israel. 

Saunderson,  Benjamin,  Jun.,  son  of  Benjamin,  1st,  m. 
Rachel  Merritt,  1761;  and  had  a dau.,  1763;  Beriah,  1767; 
Rachel,  1768. 

Scott,  Matthew,  m.  Martha  Lockard,  1746.  Their  first 
child  on  record  was  Andrew,  b.  1759.  Mr.  Scott  lived  where 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Dunbar  lives,  on  the  Turnpike. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


401 


Scott,  Andrew,  son  of  the  above  ; m.  Sarah  Henshaw,  1780  ; 
and  had  Andrew , 1782;  m.  Mary  Curtis,  1805.  William  H., 
1785;  m.  Persis  Earle,  1811,  and  had  a family  of  children. 
James,  1788  ; removed  to  the  West. 

Mr.  Scott  built  the  house  in  1800,  and  lived,  where  Amos 
Whittemore  died,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  William  H. 
once  commanded  the  south  military  company  in  the  town. 

Scott,  John,  by  his  will,  dated  1750,  disposed  of  his  pro- 
perty to  his  widow  Martha,  and  children : Matthew,  Natha- 
niel, lived  on  Flip  Road  ; d.  1827,  aged  fifty-eight.  Thomas, 
lived  in  Auburn.  Jane,  m.  a Thompson.  Elizabeth,  m.  a 
Cunningham.  Behecca. 

Steele,  Thomas,  is  noticed  in  the  body  of  this  work.  His 
wife’s  name  was  Mary;  d.  1768.  Their  children  were  Tho- 
mas, 1738;  d.  1767.  Elizabeth,  1740;  m.  Dr.  Honeywood. 
Mary,  1741 ; d.,  unmarried,  1828.  Jane,  1744.  Margaret, 

1745 ; m.  Dr.  Rawson.  Sarah,  1746  ; m. Hitchcock. 

Samuel,  1749.  Anne,  1751  ; m.  Joseph  Allen. 

Shaw,  Joseph,  was  a blacksmith,  and  lived  in  the  west  part 
of  the  town,  near  North,  or  Shaw  Pond,  as  it  was  sometimes 
called.  His  wife’s  name  was  Dorothy.  They  had  Joseph, 
1735  ; d.  1736.  Jeremiah,llZl,  Mercy,  Dorothy, 11^^. 

Snow,  Daniel.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mary.  They  had 
Jonathan,  1735  ; who  lived  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
next  south  of  where  Mr.  Barnard  Upham  lived.  James,  1748  ; 
d.  1811 ; lived  where  Barnard  Upham  lived.  Mary,  1749. 

Snow,  Thomas,  m.  Thankful  Bellows,  1756 ; and  had  James, 
1757.  Abner,  Sarah,  1761;  m.  Amos  Muzzy,  1784. 

Elizabeth,  1763.  Seth,  1765.  Mary,  1767. 

Mr.  Snow  d.  1804,  aged  seventy-four. 

Swan,  Dudley  Wade,  came  from  Milton ; purchased  of 
John  Potter,  jun.,  the  Asahel  Earle  Place,  on  the  North- 
County  Road,  in  1736.  The  name  of  his  wife  was  Beulah. 
They  had  Ruth,  1739.  Jabez,  1736.  Eunice,  1741  ; m.  Benja- 
min Richardson,  jun.  Seth,  1742.  Abigail,  1746.  Reuben, 

51 


402 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1748.  Nathariy  1750.  Phehe,  1753  ; m.  Col.  William  Henshaw. 
Dudley j 1756.  Jabez  was  killed  during  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Swan,  Reuben,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Rachel  Putnam  of  Sut- 
ton, 1767  ; had  Buth,  1769  ; m.  William  Denny.  Sally ^ 1771 ; 
m.  Nathaniel  P.  Denny.  Reuben  Billings,  1772.  Catherine, 
1774;  m.  James  Watson  of  Thompson,  Conn.  Samuel,  1778  ; 
graduated  at  Harvard ; studied  law,  and  lives  in  Hub- 
bardston. 

Mr.  Swan  was  a farmer,  and  lived  on  the  North-County 
Road  for  several  years  after  he  was  married.  He  then  pur- 
chased the  Tavern  Estate,  where  Capt.  Knights  now  lives  ; 
and  kept  a public-house  for  some  time.  He  then  built  the 
house  where  Mr.  J.  A.  Smith  lately  lived,  and  resided  there 
till  his  death,  1825. 

Silvester,  Peter,  came  from  Scituate,  and  was  born  there 

in  1687.  He  married  Sarah , and  came  to  Leicester  in 

1720.  Their  children  were  Peter,  1713.  Hannah,  1716; 
m.  Samuel  Tucker.  Joshua,  1717.  Mary,  1721.  Levi,  1723. 
Deborah,  Mr.  Silvester  died  1746. 

Silvester,  Peter,  2d,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Deborah  Torrey, 
1750;  and  had  i>e6om7i,  1751.  1753.  Pe^er,1755.  Otho, 

1758;  he  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  killed  at 
Fort  Stanwix,  1777.  Amos,  1760;  m.  Sally  Osland.  Ezra, 
1762.  Elisha,  1765.  Olive,  1777. 

Mr.  Silvester  lived  for  many  years  in  a house  on  the 
eastern  slope  of  the  Meeting-house  Hill,  where  there  is  now 
a cellar,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road.  He  died  1801,  aged 
eighty-eight. 

Silvester,  Peter,  3d,  son  of  the  above,  was  a soldier  in  the 
army  at  Saratoga,  when  Burgoyne  was  taken.  He  m.  Mary 
Sprague,  sister  of  Capt.  William  Sprague  ; and  lived  in  the 
south-west  part  of  the  town.  His  children  were  Phebe,  1782  ; 
Joseph,  1784 ; William,  1786  ; Mary,  1788  ; Oleton  C.  ( Oliver), 
1792. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


403 


Silvester,  Joshua,  son  of  Peter,  1st,  m.  Ruth  Merrit  of 
Mendon,  1758;  and  had  Joshua,  1759;  Joseph,  1761;  John, 
1763;  Elizabeth,  1764;  Ichabod,  1767 ; Isaac,  1770. 

Mr.  Silvester  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town, 
where  Erastus  Wheaton  lately  lived. 

Silvester,  Ichabod,  son  of  the  above.  His  wife’s  name 
w^as  Patience.  They  had  Joseph,  1795;  Xem,  1796;  Silas, 
1798;  John,  1799. 

Silvester,  Ezra,  son  of  Peter,  2d,  m.  Hannah  Henry,  1789, 
dan.  of  Robert  Henry;  and  had  Susannah,  1789;  Henry, 
1791  ; Otho,  1793. 

Mr.  Silvester  and  family,  with  Mr.  Henry,  removed  to 
Charleston  No.  4,  N.H.,  in  1794. 

Sprague,  Joseph,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Leicester,  was 
born  in  1722,  and  came  from  Malden.  He  married  Phebe 
Hutchinson.  He  owned  the  farm,  and  lived  where  his  son 
(Capt.  William  Sprague)  lived,  about  a mile  north  of  the  Meet- 
ing-house. Their  children  were  Sarah,  1748  ; Timothy,  1752; 
Mary,  1755;  John,  1760;  William,  1763. 

He  died  1792;  his  wife,  1811.  Sarah  m.  Daniel  Upham  of 
Templeton,  father  of  Barnard  and  Daniel  Upham  of  Leicester. 
Mary  m.  Peter  Silvester. 

Sprague,  William,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Nathan  Sargent;  and  had  e/ose^A,  1783.  Bebekah,ll%b.  Boxa, 
1787.  Lana,  1789.  Otis,  1791;  m.  Katherine  H.,  dau.  of 
Joseph  Denny;  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  died  there.  Alice, 
1795  ; Laura,  1800;  Eliza  E.,  1806. 

Capt.  Sprague  died  1831,  aged  sixty-eight;  Mrs.  Sprague, 
1837.  He  was  a well-known  citizen  of  the  town ; lived 
where  his  father  had  lived ; was  captain  of  one  of  the  militia 
companies  of  the  town;  was  a deputy-sheriff  of  the  county; 
and  filled  many  responsible  places.  Joseph  went  to  Brooklyn, 
N.Y.,  where  he  was  at  one  time  mayor  of  that  city ; d.  1854. 
Rebekah  was  many  years  a useful  and  popular  school  teacher ; 
d.,  unmarried,  1844.  Roxa  m.  Thomas  Edmunds,  of  the  well- 


404 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


known  publishing  firm,  Lincoln  and  Edmunds ; and  is  the 
mother  of  Gen.  B.  F.  Edmunds,  and  the  Hon.  J.  Wiley  Ed- 
munds, late  of  the  United-States  Congress.  Lana  m.  Ben- 
jamin Edmands ; Alice  m.  Stephen  Wiley ; Eliza  m.  Henry  A. 
Denny,  now  of  Worcester. 

Sprague,  Timothy,  brother  of  the  above,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of 
Jonathan  Sargent,  jun.,  1774.  Had  Joshua^  1774.  Polly,  1776  ; 
m.  Jonathan  Knight.  John,  1778  ; m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Capt. 
Daniel  Hubbard ; removed  to  the  State  of  New  York,  1807. 
Phehe,  1781.  Betsey,  1786  ; m.  Stephen  Trask,  1818.  Kathe- 
Tine,  1788. 

Mr.  Sprague  lived  upon  the  farm , now  belonging  to  the 
town,  which  he  purchased  of  Hezekiah  Ward,  Esq.  He  died 
1815,  aged  sixty-two. 

Stickney,  Thomas,  came  to  Leicester  from  Boston.  He  was 
a native  of  Newbury  port,  and  had  lived  in  Haverhill  and 
Boston.  He  purchased  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Place  (of  which 
there  is  a view  given  in  this  work),  where  he  carried  on  his 
mercantile  business,  and  lived  in  generous  hospitality.  He 
d.  July  28, 1791.  The  next  year,  his  widow  m.  John  Lyon,  jun. 

His  children  were  John,  b.  at  Haverhill,  1775.  Thomas, 
1777.  Polly,  1779.  Joseph,  1780.  Harry,  1782;  b.  in  Bos- 
ton. Betsey,  1784.  Harriet,  1788  ; b.  in  Leicester.  Tho- 
mas, jun.,  m.  a dau.  of  Rev.  Ephraim  Ward  of  West  Brookfield, 
who  d.  1859  : he  was  the  father  of  J.  Henry  Stickney,  Esq., 
of  Baltimore,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work.  There  were 
also  John  and  Joseph  Stickney  (brothers  of  Thomas),  who 
were  bachelors,  and  came  from  Newburyport,  and  were 
traders  upon  Mt.  Pleasant,  in  the  house  which  John  built, 
upon  the  north  side  of  the  road,  in  1789;  the  same  in  which 
Jonathan  Earle  and  Nathaniel  P.  Denny  afterwards  lived. 
They  both  d.  in  1803,  — Joseph  in  October,  and  John  in 
December.  They  were  all  men  of  property  and  influence, 
and  were  much  respected  in  town  as  useful,  intelligent,  and 
public-spirited  citizens. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


405 


Taylor,  Edward.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth.  They  had  S(i- 
Edmund,  1721;  Bartholomew,  1723;  Adonijah, 
1728  ; James,  1731. 

Taylor,  John,  m.  Susannah  Parsons,  1752;  and  had  John, 
1753 ; Susannah,  1755 ; Sarah,  1757.  His  father  (John) 
owned  and  occupied  the  Tavern-house  Estate,  where  Capt. 
Knight  lives,  in  1749.  He  is  called,  in  a deed  of  1748,  a 
trader.’’  That  deed  conveyed  to  him  all  the  land  between 
the  present  Charlton  Road  and  the  Sturbridge  County  Road, 
upon  the  south  side  of  the  Great  Road. 

Trumbull,  Joseph.  His  wife  was  Abiah.  They  had  James, 
1727  ; Abiah,  1729  ; Joseph,  1731 ; Mary,  1734.  Mr.  Trum- 
bull lived  near  the  Kent  Place,  in  the  north-east  part  of  the 
town. 

Trumbull,  Joseph,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Lydia  Ham- 
mond, 1758;  and  h^id^Phinehas,  1759;  Isaac,  1763. 

Trask,  David,  came  from  Millbury  (then  a part  of  Sutton), 
1764;  m.  Mehitabel  Dwight  for  his  first  wife,  1788 ; d.  1801 : 
and,  second,  Polly  Cooley  ; d.  1807  : third,  Abigail  Harrington, 
1808.  He  lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Great  Road.  His  children  were  1790  ; 

m.  John  Wood.  3Iehitahel  D.,  1794;  m.  Samuel  Hurd.  3Iary 
W.,  1803;  m.  Baylies  Upham.  James  P.,  1809;  d.  1848. 
Ahhy  G.,  1812.  Adeline,  1815 ; m.  Delphos  Washburn.  Jane 
S.,  1819.  Frances  31.,  1823.  Capt.  Trask  d.  1831. 

Tucker,  Samuel,  was  of  Roxbury,  and  a son  of  Benjamin, 
one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  township.  He  early 
came  to  Leicester ; where  he  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Peter  Silves- 
ter, 1st,  1740.  He  removed  to  Spencer,  1762.  His  children 
were  all  born  in  Leicester;  and  were  Sarah,  1741.  Samuel, 
1742.  Hannah, m.  David  Baldwin.  Isaac,  \13Q.  Ruth, 
1748.  Elijah,  1751 ; d.  1777.  Huldah,  1755;  d.  1777.  Eze- 
kiel, 1757.  Mr.  Tucker  lived  in  the  north-west  part  of  the 
town,  on  the  road  leading  to  Spencer,  by  the  Bond  Place. 

Tucker,  Benjamin.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mary.  They  had 


406 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Elizabeth,  1730  ; m.  Abel  Woodward,  1753.  Mary,  1732.  Ben- 
jamin, 1734.  Joshua,  1738.  Ahijah,  1740.  Caleb,  1743.  Mr. 
Tucker  bought  his  farm,  in  Cherry  Valley,  of  Nathaniel  Rich- 
ardson, in  1727. 

Tucker,  Stephen.  His  wife  was  Hannah.  Their  children : 
Hannah,  1739;  Stephen,  11 4:1]  John,  \1 42]  Lucy,  \1 44]  Rer 
hekah,  1746.  His  second  wife,  Mary  Pike,  1750.  They  had 
James,  1751  ; Nathan,  1752  ; Zephaniah,  1756  ; Mary,  1759  ; 
Elizabeth,  1760;  Solomon,  1761;  Daniel,  1764;  Sarah,  1770. 

Tucker,  Benjamin,  Jun.  His  wife  was  Martha.  They  had 
Benjamin,  1762;  Jacob  D.,  1763;  Ichabod,  1765. 

Thomas,  John.  The  name  of  his  wife  was  Susannah.  They 
had  Mary,  1758;  John,  1760.  I suppose  him  to  be  son  of 
Samuel  Thomas,  who  was  here  before  1721,  and  lived  in  the 
north-east  part  of  the  town,  near  the  Samuel  Waite  Place. 

Torrey,  Abel.  His  wife  was  Mary.  They  had  Samuel, 
1753;  David,  1755;  Molly,  1757;  Abel,  1761;  Abner,  1753. 

Vinton,  Abiathar,  was  born  in  Woburn  in  1700  ; m.  Lydia, 
dau.  of  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  1723;  and  had  I^ydia,  1724; 
m.  James  Wilson  of  Spencer.  Hannah,  1726.  Tamar,  1728  ; 
m.  James  Baldwin,  jun.  Elizabeth,  1730  ; m.,  first,  Seth  Bab- 
bitt, 1753;  and,  second,  James  Howard.  Abiathar 1732. 
John,  1735.  Samuel,  1737  ; a physician  in  South  Hadley, 
1801. 

Mr.  Vinton  lived  a while  in  Braintree  before  coming  to 
Leicester.  He  was  a blacksmith,  and  lived  on  the  Cope- 
land Place,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  He  d.  in  1740. 
His  son  of  the  same  name  went  to  Charlton,  and  removed  to 
Granby  about  1772.  He  had  a son  Abiathar,  b.  1764,  w’ho 
lived  in  South  Hadley;  where  his  son  (Hon.  Samuel  F.  Vinton, 
now  of  Washington)  was  born  1792.  He  graduated  at  Wil- 
liams College  ; went  to  Ohio ; became  an  eminent  lawyer  ; 
and  was  a member  of  Congress  twenty-two  years. 

Upham,  Ebenezer,  was  the  son  of  Samuel;  b.  in  Malden, 
1726.  He  m.  Lois  Waite  of  Malden,  1748.  They  had  Lois, 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


407 


1751.  TTaiVe,  1753;  was  in  the  three-vears’  service  in  the 
Revolution.  Eunice.  Elizabeth,  1755.  Tahitha,  1757.  Ehe- 
nezer  B.,  1759.  Mehitabel,  1761.  Priscilla,  1765.  William, 
1766.  Joshua,  1767.  Phinehas,  1770. 

Mr.  Upham  was  a farmer,  and  lived  in  the  house  between 
the  Deacon  Rockwood  Place  and  the  Copeland  Place.  He 
was  the  lieutenant  of  the  Leicester  Company,  in  1775,  which 
marched  to  Cambridge  ; and  his  son  TTaite  belonged  to  the 
same. 

Upham,  Samuel,  brother  of  the  above,  lived  where  Deacon 
Rockwood  did,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Martha.  They  had  Martha,  1758.  Samuel,  1762. 
Mercy,  1765;  m.  Pliny  Green,  1783. 

Upham,  Samuel,  2d,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Patty  Livermore, 
dau.  of  Jonas,  1791.  He  lived  where  his  father  had  lived, 
until  his  removal  to  Vermont.  His  children  were  William 
(Aug.  5,  1791),  who  IS  noticed  in  another  part  of  the  work; 
d.  at  Washington,  a senator  in  Congress.  Samuel,  1793. 
Patty,  1797.  Horace,  1799. 

Mr.  L^pham  removed  to  Vermont  soon  after  1800.  He 
d.  1848,  at  Randolph  in  that  State,  aged  eighty-seven. 

Upham,  Ebenezer,  m.  Mary  Crowl  ; and  lived  in  Cherry 
Valley,  where  Nathan  Beers,  and  after  him  Mr.  Shepherd, 
lived.  They  had  Mary,  1762.  Ehenezer,  1764.  Thaddeus, 
1768;  who  was  a tanner;  lived  at  the  foot  of  the  Meeting- 
house Hill;  left  Leicester,  1800;  went  to  Watertown,  and 
d.  there  1814.  Sarah,  1776;  m.  Daniel  Works,  1794. 

Upham,  Nathaniel.  His  wife  was  Rebekah.  They  had 
Thomas,  1747;  Mehitabel,  1750;  Rebehah,  1753. 

Upham,  Jonathan,  brother  of  the  Ehenezer  above;  m. 
Martha  Tucker,  1750.  Had  Bathsheba,  1752. 

Upham,  Jacob,  brother  of  the  above;  m.  Sarah  Stower, 
1751.  Had  Phebe,  1752.  * 

Whittemore,  John,  is  described  in  early  papers  as  of  Rum- 
ney  Marsh  in  Boston.  His  wife’s  name  was  Rebekah.  He 


408 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


was  in  Leicester  before  1730,  and  is  called  “ Deacon  in  1735. 
He  hs.d  John,  1721.  Nathan,  1723.  Rebekah,  1725  ; m.  Oliver 
Witt,  1745.  Rhehe,  1727;  m.  Ralph  Earle,  then  of  Shrews- 
bury, 1749.  Nathaniel,  1732.  James,  1734.  Mr.  Whitte- 
more  owned  the  farm  where  his  grandson  Joseph  lived,  and 
recently  died. 

Whittemore,  John,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above;  m.  Elizabeth 
Earle,  1749,  dau.  of  Robert;  and  had  John,  1750.  Molly, 
1754.  Thomas,  1755.  Rebekah  and  Phebe,  1756  ; d.  1759. 
Ptuth,  1766.  He  lived  where  Mr.  Partridge  lives,  near  the 
Gage  Place. 

Whittemore,  James,  son  of  John,  1st;  m.  Dorothy  Green, 
1761 ; and  had  James,  1762.  Phebe,  1765  ; m.  Samuel  Waite. 
DoUy,  1767 ; d.  unmarried.  Samuel,  1769;  removed  with  his 
family  into  New  York.  Katy,  1772;  d.  unmarried.  Clark, 
1776;  lived  in  Worcester.  John.  Joseph,  d.  1859. 

Mr.  Whittemore  lived  where  his  son  Joseph  recently  lived 
and  died.  He  d.  1811,  aged  seventy-seven.  He  was  always 
known  by  the  title,  “ Lieutenant  ” James. 

Whittemore,  Nathan,  son  of  John,  1st;  m.  Lois  Earle,  dau. 
of  William,  2d,  1763.  They  had  Nathan,  1764;  Lucretia, 
1766;  Josepjh,  1768. 

Whittemore,  Asa;  lived  in  the  south  part  of  the  town. 
His  wife’s  name  was  Lucy.  They  had  Lucy,  1775  ; Asa,  1777  ; 
Amos,  1779;  Polly,  1780;  Nobby,  1782;  Amasa,  1784;  Jonas, 
1786;  Charles,  1790;  John  S.,  1794. 

He  d.  1821,  aged  seventy -one:  his  wife  d.  1822,  aged 
sixty-five. 

Wicker,  William,  was  here  before  1720.  His  wife’s  name 
was  Rebekah.  They  had  Rebekah,  1720;  Jacob,  1723;  John, 
1726;  James,  1729;  Mercy,  1740. 

Jacob  m.  Abiah  Washburn,  sister  of  Col.  Seth,  1747 ; and 
moved  to  Hardwick.  He  lived  north  of  Moose  Hill,  in  what 
is  now  Paxton. 

Warren,  William.  His  wife  was  Susannah.  They  had 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


409 


Thomas,  1736 ; Susannah,  1728  ; William,  1732  ; Thomas, 
1736  ; Hannah,  1739. 

Warren,  Ebenezer;  lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  town, 
where  Joseph,  his  grandson,  now  lives.  His  wife’s  name 
was  Lj^dia.  They  had  Jonathan,  1750;  who  was  a tanner, 
and  lived  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  where  his  son 
Jonathan  died.  Lydia,  1752  ; m.  Abner  Dunbar,  1774. 
Ebenezer,  1754.  Elijah,  1759. 

Warren,  Elijah,  son  of  the  above ; m.  Elizabeth  Wheeler, 
1781.  Had  Amos,  1782  ; lives  in  Woodstock,  Yt.  Joseph, 
1784.  Betsey,  \ m.  Jonathan  Bond.  Lydia, 11^%.  Mary 
W.,  1790.  Charlotte,  1792.  He  m.  Mary  Belcher  Wheeler, 
1801 ; and  had  Sarah  IL,  1802.  Katherine  H.,  1804 ; d.  1828. 
Louisa  A.,  1807  ; m.  Rev.  Amos  D.  Wheeler,  now  of  Topsham, 
Me.,  1830.  Henry  E.,  1809.  Mr.  Warren  d.  1843. 

Witt,  Jonathan  ; came  from  Southborough.  His  wife’s 
name  was  Dinah.  They  had  Lydia,  1745.  He  lived  in  what 
is  now  Paxton. 

Witt,  Oliver;  m.  Rebekah  Whittemore;  and  had  Sarah, 
1746;  Jonathan,  1751;  Phehe,  1748. 

Y^ilson,  James  ; came  from  Lexington,  and  settled  on  Lot 
No.  10,  on  the  Charlton  Road,  about  half  a mile  from  the 
Meeting-house.  He  was  there  in  1714;  and  was  probably 
the  first  settler,  or  among  the  very  first,  in  the  town.  In 
1758,  he  removed  to  Stockbridge  ; having  resided  a few 
years  previously  in  Spencer.  His  wife’s  name  was  Mehitabel. 
They  had  Amy,  1725  ; m.  Thomas  Tolman.  James,  jun., 
1727.  William,  1729.  John,  1730.  Azariah,  1731. 

IVard,  Hezekiah;  came  from  Grafton  in  1768.  He  owned 
the  farm  now  belonging  to  the  town ; which,  after  the  war, 
he  sold  to  Timothy  Sprague,  and  removed  to  Paxton.  He 
was  a magistrate  and  a leading  citizen  while  in  town.  He 
m.  Martha  Earle,  dau.  of  Robert;  and  had  Hezekiah,  1771. 

His  first  wife  was  Sarah,  dau.  of  IVilliam  Green,  1st,  of 
Leicester.  He  was  then  called  of  New  Medfield. 


62 


410 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Waite,  Xathaxiel,  the  first  of  the  name  who  came  to 
Leicester,  was  b.  in  Malden,  1701.  He  settled  upon  the  farm 
on  which  his  son  Samuel  lived  and  died;  the  road  to  which, 
when  he  came  there,  was  indicated  by  marked  trees  in  the 
primitive  forest.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  Richardson,  m. 
1735 ; but  she  died  in  a few  months,  and  he  m.  Hannah,  dau. 
of  Richard  Southgate.  She  was  b.  in  Coombs,  England,  1709  ; 
and  d.  1754.  They  had  Nathaniel,  1738;  lived  in  Hub- 
bardston  ; d.  1815.  Hannah,  1740  ; m.  Thomas  Earle.  Nathan, 
1742.  David,  1744;  removed  to  Xew  Braintree;  d.  1815. 
Phinehas,  1746 ; m.  Patty  Forbes ; lived  where  Deacon  Mur- 
doch lived;  d.  1810.  Jonathan,  1748;  lived  in  Woodstock, 
Yt. ; d.  1810.  Samuel,  1750.  William,  1751;  m.  Hannah, 
dau.  of  Joseph  Sargent;  lived  in  New  Braintree;  d.  1837. 
Mary,  1753;  m.  Nathan  Sargent,  2d;  lived  in  New  Brain- 
tree ; d.  1816.  Phebe,  1857 ; m.  Nathaniel  Whittemore  of 
Peterborough;  d.  1835.  Asa,  1759.  Elizabeth;  m.  Potter 
Cole;  removed,  when  a widow,  to  Ohio;  d.  1845. 

Mr.  Waite  m.  a third  wife  (Phebe  Read)  in  1756. 

Mr.  Waite  d.  1791,  at  the  age  of  ninety,  never  having 
been  sick  a day  in  his  life ; and  was  followed  to  his  grave  by 
all  the  above-named  twelve  children. 

Waite,  Nathan,  son  of  the  above,  owned,  and  for  many 
years  kept  as  a tavern,  the  house  (now  removed)  opposite 
the  Catholic  Church.  He  d.  1818,  aged  seventy-four.  He 
m.,  first,  Joana  Tucker,  1765  ; and  had  Joana,  1766  ; m.  Dr. 
Otis  Gould  of  Dartmouth.  Nathan,  jun.,  1768;  m.  Martha 
Bruce  in  1792,  and  removed  to  Sterling.  Sally,  1770  ; m. 
Capt.  Darius  Cutting,  1789. 

Mrs.  Waite  d.  1771.  Mr.  Waite  m.,  second,  Hannah  Parks 
of  Shrewsbury;  and  had  Nahum,  1775;  m.  Olive  Lynde ; 
d.  1816.  Hannah,  1778;  m.  Samuel  Southgate,  1801.  Alice, 
1782.  Joseph,  d.,  unmarried,  1815. 

Waite,  Samuel,  son  of  Nathaniel,  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  James 
Whittemore,  1792;  and  had  Lyman,  1793.  Samuel,  1795. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


411 


William^  1797.  Edwin^  1798.  Emetine,  1802;  m.  Cyrus 
Underwood  of  Auburn,  N.Y.,  1824.  Laura  Alma,  1803. 
Phinehas,  1805.  Charles,  1808. 

Mr.  Waite  d.  1847,  aged  ninety-seven : his  wife  d.  1819. 
He  built  the  house  in  which  he  lived,  where  his  son  Lyman 
now  lives. 

Waite,  Asa,  known  as  Major  Waite,”  was  brother  of  the 
above.  He  m.  Rebekah,  dan.  of  Samuel  Works ; and  had 
Elmer,  1789.  Lucretia,  1796  ; d.  1826.  Mrs.  Waite  d.  1843. 
Mr.  Waite  is  mentioned  elsewhere  as  having  been  in  the  Re- 
volutionary War.  He  d.  1814. 

Watson,  Samuel.  His  wife  was  Margaret.  Their  children  : 
Elizabeth,  2B ',  m.  Robert  Paul.  William,  1724.  Samuel, 
1728.  John,  1730.  Daniel,  1732. 

Watson,  John.  There  was  a John  Watson  here  before 
1722  ; but  whether  father  of  this  one,  I cannot  ascertain.  The 
name  of  the  wife  of  the  one  noticed  here  was  Mary.  Their 
children:  Patrick,  1745.  John,  1747.  Samuel,  1749.  Doro- 
thy, 1754;  m.  James  Smith.  Sarah,  1757  ; m.  Nathan  Kings- 
ley. Molly,  1759;  m.  Isaac  Prouty.  Elizabeth,  1762;  m. 
Elijah  Washburn.  Hannah,  1764.  Lydia,  1766;  m.  John 
Read,  Rutland. 

Mr.  Watson  lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  He  d. 
1795,  aged  eighty;  his  wife,  the  same  year,  aged  seventy. 

Watson,  Johnson,  m.  Lydia  Sargent,  1764.  Had  Mary, 
1765;  Joseph,  1767;  Sarah,  1769. 

Watson,  William,  lived  on  the  Charlton  Road,  about  a mile 
south  of  the  Meeting-house.  He  m.  Susannah  Bulloch  of 
Rehoboth,  1769;  and  had  Susannah,  1769.  Anna,  1773;  m. 
Closes  Hammond.  William,  1775.  Abigail,  1779  ; m.  Rev. 
William  Mason  of  Castine.  Samuel  (afterwards  Samuel  D.)^ 
1781;  who,  at  one  time,  commanded  the  regiment  to  which 
Leicester  belonged  ; was  extensively  engaged  in  business, 
and  a popular  citizen ; he  removed  to  Amherst,  and  d.  there 
in  reduced  circumstances. 


412 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Mr.  Watson  was  known  as  Capt.  Watson.’’  He  d.  1828, 
aged  eighty-four : his  wife  d.  1804,  aged  fifty-eight. 

Watson,  Samuel,  son  of  John,  m.  Ruth  Baldwin,  1772  ; and 
lived  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  about  half  a mile  north 
of  the  Great  Road.  His  children  were  Nobby ^ 1774.  Cldoe^ 
1775.  Polly,  nil.  Ruth,lUl.  Lucy,lU^.  Samuel,  ] 
d.  1818.  Asa  B.,  1793. 

Mr.  Watson  d.  1818,  aged  sixty-nine  : Mrs.  Watson  d.  1849, 
aged  ninety-eight.  Lucy  m.  Hon.  James  Draper  of  Spencer, 
1805.  Ruth  m.  Daniel  Kent,  1805. 

Watson,  Benjamin.  His  father  was  Samuel.  He  lived  in 
the  south-east  part  of  the  town,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Cherry  Valley  to  Auburn,  near  the  Turnpike.  He  m.  Ruth 
Bancroft,  1778  ; and  had  Eunice,  1779.  Samuel,  1782;  who 
has  been  a leading  citizen  of  the  town ; represented  it  in  the 
General  Court;  and  is  noticed  in  other  parts  of  this  work. 
Ruth,  1784.  Benjamin,  1785  ; removed  to  Mercer,  Me.  Mrs. 
Watson  d.  1834;  Mr.  Watson,  in  1831,  aged  eighty-five. 

Watson,  Matthew,  brother  of  the  above,  lived  in  Cherry 
Valley,  where  Nathan  Holman  lives.  He  m.  Mary  Taylor, 
176^  both  of  Leicester.  They  had  Nancy,  1763;  m.  Daniel 
Denny,  son  of  Samuel ; and  d.,  1852,  in  Worcester.  Peggy, 
1786;  m.  Edmund  Snow;  d.  1859.  Polly,  1768.  Matthexc, 
1770;  d.  unmarried. 

Mr.  Watson  built  the  house  on  the  Old  Road,  opposite  the 
Southgate  Place,  in  Cherry  Valley. 

Wheaton,  Benjamin.  His  wife’s  name  was  Abigail,  dau.  of 
John  Lynde,  1744;  and  had  John,  1745  ; Sarah,  1747  ; Chris- 
topher, 1748  ; Pliny,  1751 ; Dan,  1753.  He  lived  in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  town. 

Wheaton,  John,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Phebe  Hubbard  of 
Holden,  1770;  and  had  Phebe;  Sarah,  \11^',  Pliny,  111^] 
Josepjh  and  Benjamin,  1783. 

Washburn,  Joseph,  b.  in  Bridgewater;  m.  Hannah  John- 
son, b.  in  Hingham ; went  to  Middletown,  Conn. ; and  came  to 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


413 


Leicester  before  1745.  His  children  were  born  in  Bridge- 
water  ; and  the  following  named  came  with  him,  or  pre- 
viously, to  Leicester:  Seth^  1723.  Elijah.  Ehenezer^  1734. 
Ahiali^  m.  Jacob  Wicker,  1747.  Sarah,  m.  Joseph  Cerley; 

went  to  Whitingham,  Yt. ; d.  1817.  Mary,  m. Clough  of 

Stafford,  Conn. 

Mr.  Washburn  was  a blacksmith ; lived  in  a house,  where 
there  is  now  a cellar,  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road  lead- 
ing to  William  Silvester’s,  about  a quarter  of  a mile  from  the 
Great  Road.  He  d.  in  1759  ; his  widow,  in  1780,  aged  eighty- 
seven. 

Elijah  m.  Hannah  Taylor,  1746  ; and  went  to  Natick,  and 
afterwards  to  New  Hampshire.  Ebenezer  m.  Dorothy,  dan. 
of  Jonathan  Newhall,  1757  ; and  removed  to  Hardwick.  While 
he  lived  in  Leicester,  he  was  employed  to  teach  school.  He 
was  father  of  Dr.  Cyms  Washburn  of  Yernon,  Yt. 

Washburn,  Seth,  is  noticed  elsewhere.  He  was  son  of  the 
above ; was  born,  1723,  in  Bridgewater  ; went  to  Middletown, 
and  then  came  to  Leicester  before  1745 ; m.  Mary  Harrod, 
1750  ; and  had  Seth,  1751.  Joseph,  1755.  Asa,  1757.  Mary, 
1759;  m.  Samuel  Sargent,  1781;  d.  1849.  Hannah,  11^2', 
long  a popular  school-teacher  in  Leicester;  m.  Jonathan  A. 
Phippin,  AVestminster,  Yt. ; d.,  1850.  Shra/q  1764  ; m.  John 
Hodgkin,  1789;  d.  1850.  Amity,  1767;  m.  John  Hayward, 
1793;  d.,  without  children,  1794.  Lucy,  1769;  m.  Josiah 
AVoodward  of  Alillbury,  1794;  d.  1796.  Elizabeth,  1774, 
d.  1777. 

Col.  Washburn  m.  Sarah  Sargent,  1788,  for  a second  wife. 
His  first  wife  d.  Sept.  16,  1787 : he  d.  Feb.  20,  1794,  aged 
seventy. 

AA^ashburn,  Seth,  Jun.,  son  of  the  above,  m.  Susannah  Rood 
of  SturbrTdge,  1772.  He  lived  in  the  north-west  part  of  the 
town,  near  the  George  Bond  Place,  where  there  is  a cellar: 
the  house  disappeared  many  years  since.  He  had  Nathaniel 
1773.  After  this,  he  removed  to  AA^ilbraham  ; and  died  in  the 


414 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


army,  during  the  Revolution,  at  Governor's  Island,  N.Y., 
1776. 

Washburn,  Asa,  son  of  Seth,  1st,  m.  Sarah  Upham  of  Spen- 
cer ; and  had  Reuben,  1781,  who  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  ; 
studied  and  practised  law ; has  been  a Judge  of  the  County 
Court  in  Vermont;  and  lives  in  Ludlow.  Levi,  1783. 

Not  long  after  this,  Mr.  Washburn  removed  to  Putney,  Vt. ; 
where  he  raised  a large  family  of  sons  and  daughters.  He 
became  an  acting  magistrate  and  a leading  and  influential 
citizen  in  the  town  where  he  resided.  He  d.  Oct.  6,  1834. 

Washburn,  Joseph,  son  of  Seth,  1st,  is  noticed  in  the  work. 
He  m.  Ruth  Davis,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Davis  of  Charlton,  1787 ; 
and  had  Ebenezer  D.,  Oct.  26,  1788;  settled  in  Alabama; 
was  a lawyer,  a Judge  of  the  Court,  there;  and  d.  1838, 
leaving  a family  there.  Seth,  Sept.  30,  1790;  was  a physi- 
cian, and  I minent  in  his  profession ; settled  in  Greenfleld, 
where  he  d.  January,  1838,  leaving  a family.  Lucinda  A., 
Dec.  23,  1792;  m.  John  Wilder,  then  of  Leicester,  1815; 
d.  in  Providence,  R.I.,  Nov.  1,  1843,  leaving  a family  of 
children.  Joseph,  Sept.  8,  1795;  a merchant;  now  lives  in 
Savannah,  Ga.  Abigail  D.,  Sept.  22,  1797 ; d.  unmarried, 
March  11, 1816.  Emory,  Feb.  14,  1800  ; removed  to  Worces- 
ter, 1828  ; is  mentioned  elsewhere.  B.uth,  May  8,  1802  ; m. 
Rev.  Joseph  Muenscher,  D.D.,  now  of  Mount  Vernon,  0.,  1825. 

Mr.  Washburn  died  March  27,  1807,  aged  fifty-two:  Mrs. 
Washburn  died  March  22,  1827,  aged  sixty-one.  At  the  time 
of  his  death,  he  lived,  and  owned  the  farm,  where  Mrs.  New- 
hall  lives,  half  a mile  north  of  the  Meeting-house. 

Washburn,  Gideon,  was  cousin  to  Joseph,  1st ; b.  in  Bridge- 
water,  1704 ; m.  Mary  Perkins  of  Bridgewater,  and  had  four 
sons,  and,  with  two  of  them  [Abraham  and  Jacob),  removed  to 
Leicester,  and  settled  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  He  died 
1794,  aged  ninety-one  ; never  having  had  a physician  in  his  life. 

Washburn,  Jacob,  son  of  the  above,  was  b.  1733.  He  had 
Sally,  1779;  Jojcob;  and  Francis. 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


415 


He  lived  in  the  north  part  of  the  town ; and  d.  1818,  aged 
eightj^-five.  He  was  a lieutenant  of  a company  in  the  French 
War. 

The  children  of  Abram,  son  of  Gideon,  were  James ^ Eliab, 
Luke.  He  lived  in  the  north  part  of  the  town. 

Washburn,  Jacob,  son  of  Jacob,  m.  Achsa  Johnson,  1789; 
and  had  Cephas,  1792;  Jacob,  3d,  1793. 

Mr.  Washburn  died  1818,  aged  eighty-five. 

Washburn,  Francis,  son  of  Jacob,  1st,  m.  Catherine  Earle, 
1796;  and  had  Welcome,  1797;  John,  1801.  He  then  m. 
Polly  Watson,  1806  ; and  had  Delphos,  1808.  Cathcrinz  E., 
1813  ; m.  Ezekiel. Bellows. 


A'P  P E X D I X. 


53 


APPENDIX. 


Xo.  1.  — Lidian  Iktd  of  the  Tovrnthip. 

Know  all  men  by  ihe.se  presents,  that  the  heirs  of  Oraskaso.  Sachem  of 
a place  called  Towtaid,  sitnaie  and  lying  near  the  new  town  of  the  Eni:- 
lish  called  Worcester,  with  all  others  which  may,  under  them,  belong 
unto  the  same  place  aforesaid,  Towtaid,  — these  heirs  being  two  women, 
with  their  husbands,  newly  married ; which  being  by  mime  called  Philip 
Tray,  with  his  wife  Momokhne ; and  John  Wampscon,  with  Waiway- 
nom  his  wife,  — tor  divers  good  causes  and  considerations  us  thereunto 
moving ; and  more  especially  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of 
f fieen  poumd^,  current  money  of  Kew  England,  to  us  in  hand  paid  by 
Joshua  Liimb,  Kathaniel  Page,  Andrew  Gardner.  Benjamin  Gamblin, 
Benjamin  Tucker.  John  Curtice,  Richard  Draper,  and  S;imuel  Ruggles, 
with  Riilph  Bradhursi  of  Roxbury,  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  Kew 
England,  the  receipt  of  which  we  do  fully  acknowledge  ourselves  to  be 
fully  satisfied  and  paid.  — have  given,  granted,  barpiined.  sold,  alien- 
ated, infeofied,  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  do  fully  and  abso- 
^ lutely  give,  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alienate,  infeoff,  and  ccmfirm.  unto  the 
said  Lamb.  P;ige,  Gardner.  Gamblin,  Tucker,  Curtice,  Draper,  Ruggles, 
and  Bradhurst,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  a cenain  tract  of  land.  — con- 
taining, by  estimation,  eight  miles  square,  — situate,  lying,  and  being 
near  Worcester  aforesaid:  abutting,  southerly,  on  the  lands  of  Joseph 
Dudley,  Esq„  lately  purchased  of  the  Indians  : and.  westerly,  the  most 
southernmost  comer  upon  a little  pond  called  Paupiikquamoock.  then 
to  a hill  called  Wikajx>kotox\mow.  :ind  from  thence  to  a little  hill  called 
Mossomichud.  ;\ik1  unto  a great  hill  called  Asjx«ns<>k  ; and  so  then, 
easterly.  u|^>on  a line  until  it  comes  against  Worcester  bounds,  and 
joins  unto  their  bounds:  or  howsoever  otherwise  butted  and  Umnded: 
together  with  all  ;ind  singular  the  rights,  commodities,  liberties,  privi- 


420 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


leges,  and  appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  same  belonging,  or  however 
otherwise  appertaining : To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  tract  or  parcel 
of  land  — situating,  containing,  and  bounding  as  aforesaid  — to  the  said 
Lamb,  &c.,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  in  common  tenancy,  to  their  only 
proper  use,  sake  of,  and  benefit,  for  ever.  And  the  said  Philip  Tray 
and  Momokhue,  and  John  Wampscon  and  Waiwaynow,  their  wives, 
with  all  others  under  them  as  aforesaid,  do  covenant,  promise,  and  grant, 
for  themselves,  their  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  to  and  with  the 
said  Joshua  Lamb,  &c.,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  that  they  will  the  above- 
granted and  bargained  lands,  and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  with 
their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances,  warrant  and  defend  from  all 
and  every  person  and  persons  whatsoever  claiming  any  right  or  title 
thereunto,  or  interest  therein,  from,  by,  or  under  us. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  said  Philip  Tray  and  Momokhue,  and  John 
Wampscon,  with  Waiwaynow,  being  their  wives,  have  hereunto  set 
their  hands  and  seals,  this  twenty-seventh  day  of  January,  anno  Domini 
one  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-six. 

Signed,  sealed,  and  delivered 
in  presence  of  us : 

Philip  Teat,  O his  mark.  [Seal.] 

Tom  Tray,  © his  mark.  Momokhue  Tray,  T her  mark.  „ 

Nokawako,  his  mark.  John  Wamscon.  „ 

Capt.  & Moogus,  his  mark.  Waiwaynow  Wamscon,  + her  mark.  „ 

Andrew  8 Pitteme,  — his  mark.  Wand woam ag  ^ (^/ie<?eacon),  his  mark.  „ 

Jonas,  his  0 wife’s  mark.  „ 

Philip  Tray,  Monokhue  (his  wife),  Waiwaynow,  and  Wandowamag, 
all  personally  appearing  before  me,  underwritten,  one  of  his  Majesty’s 
Council  of  his  territory  and  dominions  of  New  England,  June  1,  1687, 
did  acknowledge  this  instrument  to  be  their  act  and  deed. 

William  Stoughton.' 

Recorded  March  8,  1713-14. 


No.  2.  — Extracts  from  Deed  from  the  Proprietors  of  the  Town  to  the 
Settlers  of  the  Eastern  Half 

It  bears  date  Jan.  11,  1724;  and  is  recorded  Nov.  29,  1729.  The 
names  of  the  committee  are  stated  in  the  deed,  — William  Dudley 
and  Joshua  Lamb  of  Roxbury,  Nathaniel  Kanney,  of  Boston  (vie- 


APPENDIX. 


421 


tualler),  and  Samuel  Green  of  Leicester.  The  deed  is  to  the  settlers 
(naming  them)  “who  have  built  or  settled  fifty  families  thereon.” 


1. 

30  A.  John  Stebbins. 

No.  26. 

30  A.  Nathaniel  Richardson. 

2. 

Joseph  Stebbins. 

27. 

40 

99 

Joseph  Sargent. 

3. 

40  „ 

James  Wilson. 

28. 

99 

99 

Samuel  Green. 

4. 

ft 

Samuel  Green. 

29. 

50 

Daniel  Livermore. 

5. 

)> 

Arthur  Carey. 

30. 

40 

99 

James  Southgate. 

6. 

)}  j) 

Ministry. 

31. 

99 

99 

Samuel  Green. 

7. 

jj  >j 

Moses  Stockbridge. 

32. 

99 

Daniel  Parker. 

8. 

5) 

Hezekiah  Russ. 

33. 

50 

99 

William  Brown. 

9. 

30  „ 

J ohn  Peters. 

34. 

40 

99 

Thomas  Baker. 

10. 

99  99 

William  Brown. 

35. 

99 

99 

Richard  Southgate. 

11. 

99  99 

Thomas  Hopkins. 

36. 

99 

99 

M^illiam  Green. 

12. 

99  99 

Daniel  Denny. 

37. 

99 

99 

Samuel  Prince. 

13. 

40  „ 

John  Smith. 

38. 

99 

99 

Nathaniel  Kanney. 

14. 

50  „ 

Ralph  Earle. 

39. 

99 

99 

Dorothy  Friar. 

15. 

99  99 

Nathaniel  Kanney. 

40. 

99 

99 

Thomas  Dexter. 

16. 

40  „ 

Samuel  Stimpson. 

41. 

99 

99 

Richard  Southgate. 

17. 

99  99 

Benjamin  Woodbridge. 

42. 

99 

99 

Richard  Southgate. 

18. 

99  99 

John  Lynde. 

43. 

99 

99 

Daniel  Denny. 

19. 

99  99 

Josiah  Winslow. 

44. 

99 

99 

William  Kean. 

20. 

9 9 99 

Josiah  Winslow. 

45. 

99 

99 

James  Winslow. 

21. 

99  99 

Josiah  Langdon.. 

46. 

99 

99 

Daniel  Denny. 

22. 

99  99 

Joshua  Henshaw. 

47. 

99 

99 

John  Smith. 

23. 

99  99 

Joseph  Parsons. 

48. 

99 

99 

Stephen  Winchester. 

24. 

30  „ 

Nathaniel  Richardson. 

49. 

30 

Paul  Dudley. 

25.  40  „ 

John  Menzies. 

50. 

40 

John  King. 

Two  thirty-acre  lots,  called  the  Mill  Lots,  to  Samuel  Green;  and 
one  thirty-acre  lot,  called  the  Mill  Lot,  to  Thomas  Richardson : they 
performing  the  conditions  mentioned  in  a grant  of  the  said  mill-lots 
to  them. 

Of  the  foregoing,  Thomas  Baker  of  Brookfield  never  came  to 
Leicester.  He  sold  Lot  34  to  Judge  Menzies. 

Joseph  Parsons  never  came  to  the  town. 


No.  3.  — An  Account  of  Bounties  paid  by  the  Town  of  Leicester^  and 
by  Individuals  of  said  Town^  to  Soldiers  who  engaged  to  serve  in  the 
Army  at  different  Periods  from  1775  to  the  End  of  the  War, 

1.  1775,  May.  To  thirty-seven  non-commissioned  and  privates, 
each  of  which  received  of  tlie  town  28s.,  and  of  individuals  30s.,  each, 
for  eight  months £51.  16s.  and  £55.  10s. 


422 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


2.  Dec.  1.  Sixteen  men  at  Dorchester,  two  months  each,  received 

of  the  officers  of  the  militia  30s £24. 

3.  1776,  Jan.  20.  Sixteen  men  at  Roxbiiry  and  Dorchester  two 

months,  each  of  which  received  of  individuals  and  militia  - officers 
30s £24. 

4.  To  eight  men  one  year  at  New  York,  from  January,  1776,  at 

£12  each £96. 

5.  June  24.  Nineteen  men  to  New  York  five  months  at  £9  each, 

paid  by  individuals  and  militia-officers £171. 

6.  Six  men  to  Ticonderoga  at  £15  each,  paid  by  individuals  and 

militia-officers £90. 

7.  Sept.  10.  Twelve  men  to  New  York  two  months,  at  £4.  10s. 

each,  paid  by  individuals  and  the  militia-officers  ....  £54. 

8.  Nov.  20  and  30.  Four  men  to  New  York,  at  £12  each,  paid  by 

individuals  and  the  militia-officers £48. 

9.  1777,  April  12.  Seven  men  to  Rhode  Island,  two  months,  at 

£4  each £28. 

10.  April  30.  Six  men  to  complete  the  State’s  quota  of  the  Conti- 
nental Army,  for  eight  months,  at  £18  on  an  average  . . £108. 

11.  July  11.  Two  men,  £4.  10s.  each £9. 

12.  Aug.  9.  Twenty-one  men  to  the  northward,  at  £24  each,  paid 

by  individuals  and  militia-officers  for  three  months  . . . £504. 

13.  Dec.  27.  Three  men,  two  at  £30  each,  and  one  at  £15  . £75. 

14.  1778,  Feb.  7.  Ten  men  to  guard  at  Boston  under  Gen.  Heath, 

at  £18  per  man £180. 

15.  April  18.  Six  men  to  re-enforce  the  Continental  Army,  nine 

months,  at  £130  each £780. 

16.  Five  men,  eight  months,  at  £80 £400. 

17.  June  12.  Four  men  for  defence  of  Rhode  Island,  at  £18  each, 

paid  by  officers  and  individuals £72. 

18.  June  23.  Four  men  to  guard  Convention  troops,  at  £15  each, 

paid  by  officers  and  others £60. 

19.  July  27.  Ten  men  to  re-enforce  Gen.  Sullivan  at  Rhode 
Island,  at  £18  each,  paid  by  officers  and  others  . . . . £180. 

20.  1778,  Sept.  6.  Four  men  to  re-enforce  the  army  at  Provi- 
dence in  Rhode  Island,  £30  each £120. 

21.  1779,  June  8.  Two  men  to  Providence,  R.L,  paid  by  the 

selectmen,  £200  each £400. 

22.  June  23.  Six  men  to  join  the  Continental  Army,  at  £600 

each,  paid  by  selectmen £3,600. 


APPENDIX. 


423 


23.  July  5.  Four  men,  three  at  £45  each,  and  one  at  £30  . £165. 

24.  Sept.  20.  Six  men  at  E-hode  Island ; four  men  at  £80  each, 

and  two  at  £70  each £460. 

25.  Oct.  10.  Nine  men  to  Claverack  in  New  York,  at  £170 

each £1,530. 

26.  1780,  April  19.  To  three  men  to  guard  at  Rutland  for  eight 

months,  at  £16  hai’d  silver  money  each,  paid  by  selectmen  . £48. 

27.  June  28.  To  seventeen  men  six  months,  to  join  the  Continen- 
tal Army,  at  £30  each,  in  silver  money,  paid  by  selectmen  . £510. 


Leicester,  April  16,  1784.  — These  may  certify  that  the  above  is  a 
true  account  of  the  number  of  men  hired,  and  the  sums  of  money  paid 
them  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Leicester ; and  though  we 
cannot  produce  all  the  receipts  from  the  individuals  who  received  the 
money,  by  reason  of  deaths,  removals,  &c. 


Joseph  Sargent, 
Samuel  Denny, 
Samuel  Green, 
William  Henshatv, 


j 


Selectmen 

of 

Leicester. 


No.  4.  — Scale  of  Depreciation  of  “ Continental  Moneys 

In  Mr.  Felt’s  work  on  the  Massachusetts  currency,  I find  two  tables 
of  depreciation.  One  appears  to  be  based  upon  assumed  and  arbitrary 
prices  of  sundry  leading  articles  of  consumption,  which  are  thus  made 
a standard  of  value ; and  I copy  from  his  work  the  average  rates  of 
depreciation  calculated  upon  all  those  compared  with  silver. 

He  also  gives  the  Massachusetts  scale  of  depreciation  agreeable 
to  a law  of  the  Commonwealth,  fixing  the  rates  at  which  public  and 
private  contracts  made  since  the  1st  January,  1777,  were  to  be 
settled. 

In  the  computations  I have  made,  and  embodied  in  this  work,  I 
have  adopted  the  Massachusetts  standard,  as  the  town  would  be  more 
likely  to  refer  to  that  than  any  other  scale  ; making  a silver  dollar 
the  par  or  standard  of  comparison. 


424 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1 1777. 

1778. 

1779. 

1780.  1 

Jan.  . . . 

1.16  for  1 

4.50  for  1 

8.38  for  1 

32.50  for  1 

Feb..  . . 

1.03  „ „ 

4.64  „ „ i 

9.34  „ „ 1 

March  . 

1.03  „ „ 

4.80  „ „ 

10.87  „ „ ' 

April  . . 

1.28  „ „ 

5.10  ,,  ,, 

12.35  „ „ : 

May.  . . 

1.5/  ,,  ,, 

5.80  ,,  ,, 

14.14  „ „ 

June  . . 

1.60  „ „ 

5.91  „ „ 

16.02  „ „ 1 

July . . . 

1.32  „ „ 

6.-34  „ „ 1 

22.57  „ „ : 

Aug.  . . 

2.38  „ „ 

6.30  ,,  ,, 

1 20..38  „ „ ; 

Sept.  . . 

2.50  „ „ 

1 6.90  „ „ 

! 16.95  „ „ , 

Oct.  . . . 

3.82  „ „ 

6.90  „ „ 

1 17.14  „ „ 1 

Nov.  .. 

3.82  „ „ 

' 6.97  ,,  ,, 

! 23.37  „ „ 

1 

Dec.. . . 

4.34  „ „ 

7.47  „ „ 

i 30.25  „ „ 

1 

1 

MASSACHUSETTS  SCALE. 


1777. 

1778. 

1779. 

1780. 

Jan.  . . . 

1.05  for  1 

3.25  for  1 

7.42  for  1 

29..34  for  1 

Feb..  . . 

1.07  „ „ 

3.50  „ „ 

8,68  „ „ 

33.22  „ „ 

March  . 

1.09  ,,  ,, 

3.75  ,,  ,, 

10.00  „ „ 

37..36  „ „ 

April  . . 

1.12  „ „ 

4.00  „ „ 

11.04  „ „ 

40.00  „ „ 

1 May . . . 

1.15  ,,  ,> 

4.00  „ „ 

11.2.5  „ „ 

' June  . . 

1.20  „ „ 

4.00  „ „ 

1.3.42  „ „ 

1 July . . . 

1.25  „ „ 

4.25  „ „ 

14.77  „ „ , 

Aug.  . . 

1.50  „ „ 

4.50  „ „ 

16..30  „ „ ! 

Sept.  . . 

1.75  „ „ 

4./ 5 ,,  ,, 

18.00  „ „ 

1 Oct . . . 

2.75  ,,  ,, 

5.00  „ „ 

20.00  „ „ 

Nov.  . . 

3.00  „ „ 

5.43  „ „ 

23.08  „ „ 

Dec. . . . 

3.10  „ „ 

6.34  „ „ 

25.93  „ „ 

From  April  1,  1780,  the  depreciation  was  so  rapid  that  it  was  rated 
more  frequently  than  once  a month.  Thus:  — 


April 

25 . . . 

30.  . . 

May 

5.  . . 

. . . 46.00 

99 

10.  . . 

. . . 47.00 

99 

15 . . . 

. . . 49.00 

99 

20.  . . 

99 

27.  . . 

. . . 60.00 

99 

30.  . . 

. . . 62.00 

Felt’s  nUtory,  &c.,  pp.  186,  196 


Jime 

10  . . . 

99 

15  . . . 

99 

20  . . . 

. . . 69.00 

Aug. 

Sept. 

10  . . . 

. . . 71.00 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Feb. 

27,  1781  . 

. . . 75.00 

Lincoln’s  Ilisi.  of  Worcester ^ p.  125. 


' APPENDIX. 


425 


No.  5.  — Schools. 

The  following  historical  sketch  is  extracted  from  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  of  1848-9,  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Denny:  — 

When  we  compare  our  own  advantages  with  the  situation  of  our 
ancestors  only  three  generations  before  us,  in  regard  to  education, 
although  we  may  well  feel  grateful  for  our  privileges,  we  shall  find  no 
great  cause  to  boast  of  our  improvement  of  them. 

In  examining  the  early  records  of  Leicester,  and  especially  the  public 
documents  connected  with  our  Revolutionary  history,  emanating  from 
our  forefathers,  — whose  education,  in  many  cases,  was  wholly  obtained 
at  the  district  schools  in  this  town,  — we  cannot  but  be  surprised  at  the 
general  intelligence,  and  strength  of  intellect,  developed  there,  and  often- 
times combined  with  a highly  cultivated  mind  and  superior  education. 

If  the  community  now  improved  the  advantages  which  they  enjoy, 
as  our  fathers  did  theirs,  we  could  not  fail  of  having  some  intellectual 
giants  in  these  days. 

As  an  evidence  of  their  estimation  of  the  importance  of  education, 
we  find  the  first  settlers  in  this  town  — after  having,  by  great  sacrifices, 
provided  for  the  spiritual  wants  of  themselves  and  their  posterity  by 
the  erection  of  a meeting-house  and  the  settlement  of  a minister  — 
next  turning  their  attention  to  the  support  of  a schoolmaster  to  instruct 
in  reading  and  writing,  — the  first  and  most  important  branches  of  edu- 
cation. 

The  first  vote  on  record  respecting  schools,  after  the  settlement  of 
the  town,  was  on  the  last  day  of  the  year  1731  ; about  twelve  years 
after  the  erection  of  their  meeting-house,  and  ten  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  their  minister.  The  reeord  informs  us  that  “ it  was  voted  to 
choose  a committee  of  three  to  provide  a schoolmaster ; and  that  the 
said  committee  agree  with  a man  to  keep  scliool  for  three  months,  and 
no  longer ; and  that  the  school  be  kept  in  three  parts  of  the  town,  so 
as  may  be  most  for  the  conveniency  of  the  inhabitants’  children  going 
to  school.”  The  sum  of  £10.  10s.  was  raised  for  this  purpose;  equal  to 
$8.75  lawful  money.*  Mr.  John  Lynd,  jun.,  was  the  first  teacher  of 
a public  school  in  this  town. 

AVlien  it  is  considered,  that  the  population  to  be  accommodated  by 
this  three  months’  schooling  was  scattered  over  a territory  of  sixty-four 


* See  Town  Record,  Book  No.  1,  p.  138. 
54 


426 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


square  miles,  — comprising  the  whole  of  the  present  limits  of  Leicester 
and  Spencer,  and  a part  of  the  towns  of  Paxton  and  Auburn,  — the 
“ conveniency  of  the  inhabitants’  children  ” could  not  have  been  very 
great. 

The  following  year,  no  school  was  provided ; and  the  town  was  pre- 
sented before  the  Quarter  Sessions  for  this  neglect. 

The  succeeding  winter,  the  town  voted  to  raise  just  double  the 
amount  before  appropriated,  to  pay  the  schoolmaster  for  his  winter’s 
services ; and  the  selectmen  were  empowered  to  hire  a schoolmaster. 
Nothing,  however,  was  done  by  them  until  about  a year  afterwards ; 
when  Mr.  John  Lynd,  jun.,  was  again  hired  to  keep  a writing  and  read- 
ing school,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Sargent  (then  living  opposite 
the  Catholic  Church),  three  months,  at  the  rate  of  £4.  10s.,  or  $3.75, 
per  month ; “ and  for  so  much  more  of  the  year  as  the  town  shall 
employ  him,  at  the  same  lay.” 

The  school  was  not,  however,  continued  beyond  the  three  months 
agreed  upon  : but,  during  the  next  winter,  the  same  person  was  en- 
gaged, at  about  the  same  salary,  to  keep  the  school  in  three  different 
places,  one  month  in  each  place ; with  the  understanding,  that,  “ if  the 
town  employed  him  any  more,  they  was  to  come  on  new  tarms.” 

This  nine  months  of  schooling  was  all  the  privilege  for  a public  edu- 
cation which  the  town  enjoyed  for  the  seventeen  years  of  its  settlement 
previous  to  1736  ; for,  although  the  town  was  laid  out  in  1714,  it  was 
not  much  settled  until  five  years  afterwards. 

In  1736,  we  find  an  article  in  the  warrant  to  see  what  the  town  will 
do  about  a schoolmaster ; and  another,  “ to  see  if  the  town  will  build  a 
schoolhouse,  and  appoint  a place  to  put  it.” 

In  the  transactions  of  the  town  at  their  next  meeting,  we  find  that 
they  “voted  to  build  a schoolhouse,  16  feet  in  width,  20  feet  in  length, 
and  6^  feet  between  joynts ; and  that  it  be  set  the  north  side  of  the 
Meeting-house,  about  ten  rods,  in  the  most  convenantest  place.” 

The  location  of  this  building,  where  the  young  ideas  of  many  of  our 
venerable  forefathers  were  first  taught  to  shoot,  must  have  been  a little 
north-west  of  the  spot  where  the  present  Town  Hall  now  stands ; * and 


* There  is  reason  to  believe  that  this  schoolhouse  was  not  placed  where  the  town 
located  it,  or  that  it  was  afterwards  moved;  as  the  venerable  Mrs.  Hannah  Phippin 
— now  living,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight,  in  Westminster,  Vt.  — says,  in  a recent  letter 
to  her  nephew  (Judge  Washburn),  she  remembers  that  it  was  “an  old  shell  of  a build- 
ing,” and  stood  on  the  corner  of  the  Common,  a little  east  of  the  Meeting-house,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Country  Road. 

The  next  schoolhouse  in  this  district  was  opposite  the  house  of  Edward  Rawson 


APPENDIX. 


427 


the  wonder  is,  how  their  ideas  could  shoot  so  high  as  they  did,  when 
confined  within  the  walls  of  a building  only  six  and  a half  feet  between 
joints. 

In  looking  back  to  this  model  schoolhouse,  — erected  before  the 
community  was  blessed  with  such  a multiplicity  of  lectures  upon  ven- 
tilation, and  the  thousand  other  topics  of  the  day  we  live  in,  — and 
comparing  the  size  and  height  of  that  structure  with  some  of  the  build- 
ings erected  in  modern  times  for  a similar  use,  we  have  no  great  cause 
to  boast  of  our  improvement  in  this  respect. 

During  this  year,  the  town  was  again  presented  for  want  of  a school- 
master ; but,  when  we  compare  the  amount  of  money  required  to  be 
raised  at  that  time  with  the  very  limited  means  of  the  population,  we 
may  well  charge  their  neglect  in  this  matter  rather  to  their  destitution 
than  to  their  want  of  interest  in  the  subject  of  education. 

They  raised,  during  the  following  winter,  nine  pounds,  to  pay  Mr. 
Joshua  Nichols  for  keeping  a school  in  two  different  places,  for  one 
month  each : but,  for  some  cause,  the  selectmen  did  not  see  fit  to  em- 
ploy him  for  more  than  one  month  in  all ; perhaps  owing,  in  part,  to 
their  having  to  pay  tlie"”sum  of  £4.  12s.  for  expenses  incurred  at  the 
Quarter  Sessions  for  want  of  a schoolmaster  the  previous  year. 

The  year  1737  brought  with  it,  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  an 
uncommon  amount  of  taxes  ; partly  on  account  of  having  built  galleries 
and  made  general  repairs  on  their  Meeting-house,  and  settled  a new 
minister,  the  year  previous.  It  was  probably  on  this  account  that  the 
schoolhouse  was  not  built  this  year,  as  was  contemplated. 

The  sum  of  eighteen  pounds  was  voted  to  pay  a schoolmaster;  but 
only  a part  of  it  was  expended.  The  matter  being  left  to  the  select- 
men, a master  was  engaged.  But  it  appears  that,  after  about  six  weeks, 
the  school  was  discontinued : as  we  find,  among  the  expenses  of  the 
town,  five  pounds  paid  to  John  Lynde,  jun.,  for  schooling  one  month  ; 
and  £2.  11s.  8d.  allowed  to  Joshua  Nichols  “for  keeping  school  ten 
days,  and  for  answering  as  schoolmaster  the  last  summer.” 

So  it  a[)pears,  that,  by  voting  to  have  the  school  kept  at  the  house 
of  Joshua  Nichols,  they  contrived  to  have  a nominal  schoolmaster  a part 
of  the  time,  to  satisfy  the  law,  and  keep  clear  of  the  Quarter  Sessions. 


Esq.,  on  the  spot  where  the  brick  card  factory  now  stands,  belonging  to  the  estate  of 
the  late  Col.  Joseph  D.  Sargent. 

The  third  was  built  about  two  rods  west  of  the  present  dwelling-house  of  Cheney 
Hatch,  Esq.;  and  was  demolished  in  1828,  when  the  present  building  was  erected  on  the 
the  Clappville  Road. 


428 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


It  is  probable  that  the  schoolhouse  was  built  during  the  summer  of 
1738,  as  the  last  we  hear  about  providing  a place  for  the  school  was 
for  the  previous  winter.  When  the  town  first  voted  the  money  to  build 
this  house,  they  raised  only  forty  pounds,  with  the  proviso,  that,  “if 
there  be  an  overplus,  it  was  to  lay  in  the  treasury,  and  be  disposed  of 
by  the  town.” 

We  find,  by  the  account  of  the  treasurer  afterwards,  that  the  whole 
cost  of  the  building  was  nearly  fifty  per  cent  more  than  had  been 
anticipated,  or  £57.  8s.  2d.,  old  tenor;  equal  to  $47.84.  During  that 
year,  they  had  about  three  months’  schooling. 

As  soon  as  the  new  schoolhouse  was  erected,  we  find  the  town  pro- 
viding with  greater  liberality  for  the  education  of  their  children,  not 
only  in  reading  and  writing,  but  also  in  some  of  the  higher  branches. 

In  1739,  Mr.  Samuel  Coolidge  was  paid  thirty-eight  pounds  for 
teaching  a grammar  school  six  months.  This  sum,  although  an  ad- 
vance upon  former  w^ages  of  school-teachers,  was  only  $1.32  per  week  ; 
but,  as  the  town  provided  board  in  addition,  it  might  be  considered  a 
fair  compensation,  when  a laboring-man  was  allowed  thirty-three  cents 
per  day  for  himself,  and  half  that  sum  for  a yoke  of  oxen,  on  the  high- 
way. The  salary  of  their  minister,  at  this  time,  was  £150  (old  tenor), 
or  $125. 

For  a few  years  previous  to  this  time,  the  population  had  increased 
very  much  ; and  the  portion  of  the  town  which  is  now  Spencer  had 
been  settled  by  a large  number  of  families,  who  were  beginning  to  feel 
dissatisfied  with  paying  taxes  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  and  school, 
which  were  of  comparatively  little  advantage  to  them.  In  1741,  an 
article  was  inserted  in  the  warrant,  “ to  see  if  the  town  will  allow  the 
school  to  be  moved  from  place  to  place,  as  may  be  thought  proper ; ” 
and  another,  “ to  see  if  the  town  will  excuse  those  persons  who  are  set- 
tled in  that  part  of  the  said  town,  called  the  proprietors’  part,  from 
being  taxed,  for  the  future,  to  the  minister  and  school  in  said  town.” 

The  town  voted  to  remove  the  school  from  place  to  place,  “ as  shall 
be  thought  proper  by  the  selectmen ; ” but  not  to  release  any  portion 
of  the  inhabitants  from  their  taxes. 

The  school  was  not,  however,  removed  this  year ; and  the  same  re- 
quest was  made  in  the  spring  of  1742  ; and  the  town  voted  to  remove 
the  school  into  the  four  quarters  of  the  town,  “ so  as  to  have  the  remote 
ends  of  the  town  have  some  benefit  of  the  same ; ” and  the  selectmen 
hired  Mr.  John  Gibbons  for  eighty-nine  pounds  to  keep  school  through 
the  whole  year. 


APPENDIX. 


429 


In  1743,  the  town  voted  to  keep  the  school  in  six  places  in  the 
town,  — two  months  in  a place ; and  raised  one  hundred  pounds,  old 
tenor,  for  the  purpose. 

In  that  and  the  following  year,  Mr.  Adam  Bullard  was  employed 
as  teacher ; and,  for  the  last  three  months,  his  salary  was  £18.  10s. 
(old  tenor),  “and  the  keeping  his  horse  in  the  bargain.” 

From  this  time  onward,  for  the  next  twenty  years,  no  great  change 
was  made  in  the  schools  in  this  town.  Each  year,  about  the  same 
amount  of  schooling  was  enjoyed  ; and  the  schools  were  moved  into 
different  pai’ts  of  the  town  to  accommodate  all  its  inhabitants.  The 
average  amount  expended  yearly  was  about  forty  pounds  (lawful 
money),  or  $133.33.  After  the  district  of  Spencer  was  set  off  in 
1753,  about  the  same  amount  was  expended  as  before  ; and,  of  course, 
the  remaining  inhabitants  had  a better  opportunity. 

About  ten  years  before  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary 
"War,  quite  a revolution  took  place  in  the  school  system  here.  A 
committee,  chosen  by  the  town  in  March,  1765,  reported  in  favor  of 
dividing  the  town  into  school  districts ; and  each  district,  or  “ quarter,” 
was  to  build  their  own  schoolhouse. 

There  was,  however,  found  to  be  difficulty  in  some  of  the  districts 
about  locating  their  schoolhouses ; and,  at  the  town-meeting  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year,  the  whole  subject  was  again  brought  up,  and  a dif- 
ferent arrangement  was  made.  The  town  voted  to  raise  £120  to  build 
five  schoolhouses,  to  be  located  in  the  East,  South-east,  West,  North- 
west, and  North-east  Districts. 

In  the  East,  South-east,  and  West  Districts,  the  inhabitants  were 
divided  as  to  the  location  of  the  building ; and  the  town  chose  a com- 
mittee of  three  men,  who  were  not  residents  in  the  district,  to  locate 
each  of  these  schoolhouses,  in  case  the  inhabitants  of  the  district  did 
not  generally  agree  among  themselves.  They  also  voted  that  the 
money  assessed  in  each  district  should  be  expended  on  the  schoolhouse 
in  that  district ; thus  throwing  the  expense  of  building  upon  the  dis- 
tricts, as  at  first,  but  taking  the  management  into  the  hands  of  the 
town. 

A committee  was  then  chosen  in  each  district  to  estimate  the  cost 
of  their  building,  and  receive  subscriptions  — either  in  money,  mate- 
rials, or  labor  — for  each  man’s  assessment,  to  be  provided,  under  the 
direction  of  the  committee,  at  a stated  time  ; and  all  the  schoolhouses 
were  to  be  completed  by  the  first  day  of  October,  1767. 

The  Centre  District  was  not  included  in  this  arrangement,  as  they 


430 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


had  already  a schoolhoase  belonging  to  the  town  within  their  limits. 
The  town,  however,  at  this  time,  chose  a committee  to  sell  this  house 
to  the  best  advantage. 

At  the  next  March  meeting,  it  was  voted  that  the  assessments  of  all 
persons  who  had  not  furnished  materials,  &c.,  as  proposed,  be  commit- 
ted to  the  constable  for  collection  in  money,  to  be  paid  to  the  several 
districts  where  it  belonged.  So  much  dissatisfaction  was  manifested, 
in  some  of  the  districts,  about  the  location  of  their  schoolhouses,  that 
they  were  not  all  completed  until  about  five  years  after  this  plan  was 
adopted. 

In  the  year  1766,  the  first  female  teacher  was  employed  in  our 
public  schools.  In  that  year,  the  town  appropriated  seventy  pounds, 
lawful  money,  for  schools ; and  voted  to  have  eighteen  months’  school- 
ing in  all,  which  was  three  months  in  each  district.  The  selectmen 
were  “desired  to  appropriate  one-third  part  of  this  money  in  hiring 
schooling  mistresses  in  each  quarter ; ” and,  if  any  of  the  districts  were 
dissatisfied  with  this  arrangement,  they  had  the  privilege  of  taking 
their  portion  in  money. 

In  1774,  the  town  voted  to  accept  the  report  of  a committee,  recom- 
mending a new  schoolhouse  in  the  South-west  District ; one,  near  Mr. 
Nathan  Snow’s,  in  the  North  District ; and  one,  near  Mr.  Nathan  Her- 
sey’s,  in  the  West  District:  and,  when  these  were  completed,  the  town 
was  in  possession  of  nine  schoolhouses ; and  no  great  change  has  been 
made  in  their  location  from  that  time  to  the  present. 

In  1776,  a revision  of  the  school  districts  was  made,  and  the  names 
of  the  several  heads  of  families  in  each  district  recorded  on  the  town- 
books. 

For  about  fifteen  years  from  this  time,  the  town  raised,  annually, 
an  amount  about  equal  to  S133  for  the  support  of  common  schools; 
besides  a donation  of  £500,  in  1783,  to  the  Academy. 

In  the  year  1789,  the  town  agreed  to  make  a general  and  thorough 
reformation  among  the  old  schoolhouses  ; and  raised  the  sum  of  £400, 
to  be  expended  in  building  and  repairing  schoolhouses.  Each  district 
w^as  to  furnish  their  own  funds,  and  to  build  a new  house,  or  repair 
the  old  one,  to  the  acceptance  of  a committee  of  eight  persons,  chosen 
by  the  town ; and,  if  the  districts  neglected  to  do  it,  the  committee  were 
to  do  it  for  them. 

Great  opposition  was  manifested  to  this  measure,  and  the  town  was 
much  excited  on  the  subject.  For  the  next  two  years,  they  held  fre- 
quent meetings;  but  at  length  all  things  settled  down  quietly.  It  was 


APPENDIX. 


431 


about  this  time  that  the  schoolhouses  in  the  South  and  Centre  Districts 
were  built ; both  of  which  are  now  demolished,  and  others  built  in  their 
stead. 

At  this  time,  the  Academy  was  struggling  for  existence,  and  was 
at  times  forced  to  give  up  its  school  for  want  of  funds.  The  town,  feel- 
ing deeply  interested  in  its  success,  generously  appropriated  fifty  pounds 
for  the  support  of  a preceptor  in  1789;  which,  with  many  individual 
donations  from  the  inhabitants  of  this  and  other  places,  enabled  it  to 
survive  these  early  struggles  ; and  it  has  since  continued  to  flourish, 
with  increasing  popularity,  until  the  present  time,  — a blessing,  not  only 
to  our  youth,  but  to  thousands  from  every  portion  of  our  country. 

In  1794,  the  town  sold  at  auction,  to  Pliny  Earle,  twenty  acres  of 
land  adjoining  the  farm  of  Capt.  Daniel  Kent,  and  known  by  the  name 
of  the  School  Lot ; which  was  laid  out  by  the  original  proprietors  of 
the  town,  as  required  by  their  charter,  for  the  benefit  of  schools ; and 
had  been  kept  by  the  town  about  seventy-five  years. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  follow  up  the  particular  history  of  our  schools 
through  the  last  fifty  years,  as  many  of  those  now  present  have  taken 
an  active  part  in  their  management ; and  others,  who  are  younger,  have 
received  much  of  their  education  in  them  during  that  time. 

Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  town  has  continued  to  raise  its  annual  ap- 
propriation, and  increased  it  from  year  to  year,  as  its  population  and 
wealth  have  increased,  until  the  present  time  ; and  it  is  much  to  the 
credit  of  this  community,  that  ever  since  the  erection  of  the  first  school- 
house,  one  hundred  and  ten  years  ago,  it  has  never,  for  a single  year, 
neglected  this  duty. 

Even  during  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  — when  the  currency,  at 
one  time,  was  so  much  depreciated  in  value,  that  it  required  an  appro- 
priation of  £1,710  (Continental  money)  to  support  the  schools  for  one 
year,  the  nominal  value  of  which  was  $5,700,  — the  schools  were  con- 
tinued as  usual. 

During  the  last  year,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  hundred  dollars  raised 
by  the  town,  the  amount  paid  for  tuition  by  its  citizens,  at  the  Academy, 
was  $560.54;  which,  with  the  amount  received  from  the  School  Fund 
of  the  State,  makes  a total  of  about  $2,140  expended  for  education. 

In  thus  reviewing  the  past  history  of  our  schools,  the  reflection  is 
forced  upon  our  minds,  that,  with  the  improvements  of  modern  times, 
many  of  the  good  old  fashions  of  former  days  are  passing  away.  All 
changes  are  not  improvements,  and  all  improvements  are  not  without 
their  evils. 


432 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


In  the  current  which  is  sweeping  down  with  resistless  force  into  the 
sea  of  oblivion  the  manners  and  customs,  the  habits  and  practices,  of 
our  early  fathers,  we  have  reason  to  fear,  that,  amidst  the  rubbish  and 
useless  things  which  give  way  for  real  improvements,  some  of  their 
more  solid  and  valuable  qualities  have  been  succeeded  by  modern  ex- 
periments of  doubtful  value.  The  alterations  in  our  schoolhouses,  by 
adding  somewhat  to  their  height,  so  that  they  measure  a few  more 
inches  “between  joynts,”  and  the  substitution  of  stoves  for  the  old- 
fashioned  fireplaces,  and  a few  other  changes  in  the  construction  of  our 
buildings,  may  be  considered  improvements.  But  even  these  improve- 
ments are  not  unmixed  with  evils.  We  do  not  now  see  how  we 
could  live  comfortably,  or  even  afford  to  live  at  all,  if  the  old,  wide- 
mouthed schoolhouse  chimney  was  consuming  its  half  a cord  of  wood 
per  day ; but  then  it  was  not  so  much  of  an  evil,  when  wood  was  con- 
tributed freely  and  without  measure  by  the  farmers  in  the  district,  and 
was  chopped  by  the  schoolboys  at  noontime,  instead  of  wrestling,  for 
exercise.  With  such  a ventilator  to  our  schoolrooms,  we  need  not 
understand  any  thing  about  oxygen  or  nitrogen ; and  the  ruddy  cheeks 
and  bright  countenances  of  the  young,  in  those  days,  would  compare 
favorably  with  the  pale  faces  of  our  school-children,  who  are  compelled 
to  breathe  the  close  and  unwholesome  air  of  some  of  our  schoolrooms 
for  six  hours  in  the  day,  through  one-half  the  days  of  their  childhood. 
But  we  trust  this  evil  will  be  temporary,  and  that  our  schoolrooms  will 
soon  be  ventilated  as  well  as  warmed. 

In  the  cultivation  of  the  manners  of  our  youth,  in  the  present  day, 
the  field  seems  to  have  been  entirely  changed  from  the  schoolroom  to  the 
ballroom  ; and,  in  outward  appearances  at  least,  a stranger  would  not 
notice  a great  increase  of  politeness,  in  these  days,  over  olden  times. 
There  are  even  now  some  old-fashioned  people,  who  would  rather  see 
the  respect  and  deference  which  was  once  paid  to  the  committee-man 
or  the  minister,  — when,  on  entering  and  leaving  the  village  school, 
there  was  a voluntary  uprising  of  its  members ; or  the  respectful  bow 
and  courtesy  of  the  school-children  in  the  street,  while  passing  their 
superiors  in  age,  — than  to  see  the  whole  subject  of  the  cultivation  of 
the  manners  of  our  youth  banished  from  the  school-room. 

The  improvements  in  school-books  is  another  invention  of  modern 
times,  not  unmixed  with  evil.  Though  it  might  have  been  some  objec- 
tion to  the  good  old  days  of  “ Dilworth’s  Spelling-book  ” and  the  “ Only 
Sure  Guide  to  the  English  Tongue,”  that  the  scholar  would,  after  a 
while,  get  them  all  by  heart;  yet  this  objection  would  at  length  be 


APPENDIX. 


433 


removed  by  their  advancement  to  a higher  class  in  the  “ Understand- 
ing Reader,”  and  then  to  the  “ Scott’s  Lessons ; ” which,  to  be  sure, 
would  sometimes  be  rather  familiar  before  the  large  scholars  became 
one  imd  twenty.  But  even  this  objection  is  by  some  thought  to  be  a 
less  evil  than  the  continual  change  which  is  going  on  in  our  schools, 
and  the  great  inconvenience  and  expense  to  which  parents  are  now 
subjected,  by  the  variety  of  books  in  our  different  districts,  and  the 
introduction  of  new  books  in  the  various  branches  of  education,  before 
a single  copy  of  the  old  ones  has  been  worn  out. 

We  would  not  be  understood  to  condemn  the  practice  of  exchanging 
school-books,  when  evident  improvements  are  made  in  them ; but  we 
do  consider  the  great  multiplication  of  tliese  books,  and  the  frequent 
changes  made  in  our  schools,  to  be  productive  of  much  evil  as  well  as 
some  good.  At  the  present  day,  when  so  many  school-books  are  urged 
by  their  respective  authors  upon  teachers  and  school-committees,  we 
think  the  good  of  the  community  would  be  promoted  by  great  caution 
on  their  part,  and  a determination  to  make  no  changes  without  strong 
evidence  that  the  public  good  requires  it. 

The  present  is  truly"” in  age  of  invention.  While  great  improve- 
ments have  been  made  in  the  mechanic  arts  by  labor-saving  machinery, 
and  the  intercourse  among  men  has  been  increased,  by  more  rapid  and 
commodious  modes  of  travel,  a hundred-fold ; and,  in  the  conveyance 
of  intelligence  from  one  part  of  the  world  to  another,  distance  has 
almost  been  annihilated  by  the  magnetic  telegraph,  — the  community 
are  inclined  to  become  restless  under  the  old  order  of  things,  and  desire 
to  see  the  world  making  progress  in  every  thing  with  railroad  speed, 
if  not  with  lijrhtnino:  velocity. 

But,  in  the  process  of  education,  we  have  yet  discovered  no  method 
so  safe  and  sure  to  make  ripe  scholars  and  sound  and  sensible  men 
and  women  as  the  good  old  way  of  hard  study,  close  application,  and 
patient  drilling  in  the  solid  branches  of  education  which  are  taught  in 
our  district  schools.  There  has  never  yet  been,  and  we  have  no  reason 
to  suppose  there  ever  will  be,  discovered  any  royal  road  to  learning. 

John  Nelson,  ) 

Moses  Harrington,  ^ 

’ ( CommtUtt. 

Joseph  A.  Denny,  J 


55 


434 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


The  following  is  a Statement  of  the  Amount  raised  for  Schooling  : — 


1745 

£100 

old  tenor. 

1780 

£1710  lawful 

money. 

■ 1815  , 

. . $600  federal 

1 money. 

1746 

. 100 

1781 

. 40  silver  money. 

1 1816  , 

. . 600 

1747 

. 120 

1782 

. 40 

99 

99 

1817  . 

, . 600 

99 

1748 

. 160 

1783 

. 40 

99 

1818  . 

, . 600 

99 

1749 

. 200 

1784 

. 40 

99 

99 

1819  . 

. . 600 

1750 

. 30 

lawful  money. 

1785 

. 40 

99 

99 

1820  . 

, . 600 

99 

1751 

. 30 

1786 

. 40 

99 

99 

1821  . 

. 600 

1752 

. 35 

1787 

. 40 

99 

99 

i 1822  . 

. 600 

1753 

. 40 

1788 

. 40 

99 

99 

1823  . 

. 600 

1754 

. 40 

5? 

1789 

. 40 

99 

i 1824  . 

. 600 

99 

1755  . 

. 40 

1 1790  . 

. 40 

99 

99 

, 1825  . 

. 600 

99 

1756  . 

, . 28 

5? 

1791  . 

. 40 

99 

99 

1826  . 

. 600 

99 

1757  . 

. 20 

>1 

1792  . 

. 60 

99 

99 

1827  . 

. 800 

1758  . 

. 35 

M 

1793  . 

. 60 

99 

1828  . 

. 800 

1759  . 

. 45 

J? 

))  i 

1794  . 

. 60 

99 

1829  . 

. 800 

99 

1760  . 

. 40 

M 

1795  . 

. 80 

99 

99  ' 

1830  . 

. 800 

99 

1761  . 

. 48 

>? 

1 

1796  . 

. 80 

99 

99 

1831  . 

. 800 

1762  . 

. 50 

1 

>5 

1797  . 

. 80 

1832  . 

. 800 

99 

1763  . 

. 50 

1798  . 

. S300  federal 

money. 

1833  . 

. 800 

19 

1764  . 

. 60 

1799  . 

. 300 

99 

1834  . 

. 800 

1765  . 

. 70 

” 1 

1800  . 

. 300 

1835  . 

. 1000 

99 

1766  . 

. 70 

>5 

» 

1801  . 

. 333.33 

1 

1836  . 

. 1000 

1767  . 

. 70 

1802  . 

. 400 

99 

1 

99  1 

1837  . 

. 1000 

99 

1768  . 

. 50 

?? 

1803  . 

. 400 

99  ! 

1838  . 

. 1000 

99 

1769  . 

. 70 

5? 

?? 

1804  . 

. 400 

99 

” 

1839  . 

. 1200 

99 

1770  . 

. 70 

?? 

1805  . 

. 400 

1840  . 

. 1200 

1771  . 

. 70 

9) 

1806  . 

. 400 

1841  . 

. 1200 

1772  . 

. 70 

>5 

95 

1807  . 

. 400 

99 

1842  . 

. 1200 

1773  . 

. 70 

1808  . 

. 400 

99 

99  ^ 

1843  . 

. 1200 

99 

99 

1774  . 

. 70 

M 1 

1809  . 

. 400 

99 

99 

1844  . 

. 1200 

91 

1775  . 

. 70 

1 lIs  1 

1810  . 

. 400 

99 

91 

99 

1845  . 

. 1200 

99 

1776  . 

. 70 

1 1 

1811  . 

. 400 

1846  . 

. 1200 

99 

1777  . 

. 90 

» 1 

1 -si  1 

1812  . 

. 400 

99 

99 

1847  . 

. 1200 

1778  . 

. 108 

I 

1813  . 

. 600 

99  1 

1848  . 

. 1500 

99 

1779  . 

. 216 

JJ 

„ 1 

1814  . 

. 600 

99 

1 

» 1 

1849  . 

. 1500 

99 

99 

No.  6.  — Instructions^  of  the  Town. 


No.  1.  Oct.  17,  1765.  — At  a meeting,  regularly  warned  and  as- 
sembled, of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Leicester,  and  districts  of 
Spencer  and  Paxton,  — Voted  to  give  instructions  to  their  representa- 
tive ; and  that  Daniel  Henshaw,  Esq.,  Thomas  Denny,  and  Jonathan 
Newhall  of  Leicester,  Capt.  Benjamin  Johnson  and  Joshua  Lamb  of 
Spencer,  Capt.  Samuel  Brown  and  Jonathan  Knights  of  Paxton,  be 
the  committee  to  draw  up  the  instructions.  Voted.,  That  the  instruc- 
tions drawn  up  by  the  committee  be  accepted  and  recorded ; which  are 
as  follows : — 


APPENDIX. 


435 


To  Capt.  John  Brown,  Representative  for  the  Town  of  Leicester,  and  Districts  of 
Spencer  and  Paxton. 

Sir, — Your  being  chosen  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  town 
and  districts  to  represent  them  in  General  Assembly  is  a strong  testi- 
mony of  the  confidence  they  place  in  your  ability  and  integrity.  By 
this  choice,  they  have  put  you  in  power  to  act  in  their  public  concerns 
in  general,  as  your  own  reason  shall  dictate.  We,  your  constituents, 
now  in  general  meeting  assembled,  notwithstanding,  esteem  it  our  right, 
and,  at  this  critical  juncture  of  time  and  affairs,  our  duty,  to  give  you 
our  instructions  in  some  important  matters  which  may  come  before 
you  within  the  remaining  part  of  the  year.  And,  sir,  we  expect  of  you 
that  you  will,  with  decent  firmness  and  unshaken  resolution,  use  your 
power  and  influence  to  assert  and  maintain  our  natural  rights,  — our 
rights  as  Englishmen,  which  derive  to  us  as  subjects  of  Great  Britain, 
and  those  granted  to  us  by  charter.  You  are  sensible,  sir,  that  this 
Province  have  been  at  a very  great  expense  in  carrying  on  the  late 
war,  which  hath  involved  them  in  a very  great  burthen  of  debt,  under 
which  they  are  now  laboring ; and  how  exceeding  difficult  it  is  for  your 
constituents  to  pay  the  part  thereof  that  is  annually  assessed  on  them. 

We  expect,  therefore,  that  you  be  very  frugal  in  your  grants  of  the 
government’s  money : and  we  must  recommend  to  you  the  strictest 
care  that  the  money  be  drawn  out  of  the  treasury  according  to  the 
appropriation  thereof  by  the  General  Assembly;  and  that,  with  the 
utmost  firmness,  you  remonstrate  against  its  being  drawn  out  for  any 
other  end,  as  virtually  taxing  the  people  contrary  to  the  Constitution, 
and  subversive  of  one  of  their  darling  rights. 

We  cannot  help  reminding  you  of  some  recent  as  well  as  former 
instances  hereof,  which  we  esteem  truly  grievous ; and  as  we  are  thus 
laboring  under  such  a grievous  burthen  of  debt,  which  we  cheerfully 
brought  on  ourselves  in  largely  contributing  to  the  assistance  of  Great 
Britain,  our  mother-country,  against  her  and  our  enemies,  in  the  late 
war,  — which,  under  the  favorable  smiles  and  directions  of  Heaven, 
made  such  glorious  acquisition  to  her  kingdom  and  revenue, — 

It  is,  therefore,  with  inexpressible  grief  and  concern  we  have  had 
repeated  taxes  levied  on  us  by  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  since 
the  conclusion  of  the  peace ; more  especially  an  act  levying  certain 
stamps  and  duties  on  the  Colonies  and  Plantations  in  America.  With 
great  respect  and  deference  to  that  august  assembly,  we  cannot  but 
think  that  the  said  act  is  contrary  to  the  rights  of  mankind,  and  subver- 
sive of  the  English  Constitution,  and  hath  a direct  tendency  to  bring  us 


436 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


into  a state  of  abject  slavery  and  vassalage.  We  look  on  ourselves  — 
though  settled  at  a thousand  leagues’  distance  from  Great  Britain,  and 
subject  to  them  in  all  constitutional  measures  — yet  to  be  a part  of  the 
British  Empire ; that  we  have  the  same  rights  especially  inherent  in  us 
with  the  inhabitants  of  the  land ; that  our  predecessors  purchased  their 
lands  here  of  the  natives,  and  settled  themselves  thereon,  and  main- 
tained almost  a continual  war  with  the  neighboring  savages,  without 
any  charge  to  Great  Britain  : yet,  notwithstanding,  we  have  always 
looked  on  her  interest  ours,  and  have  always  cheerfully  contributed  to 
her  assistance  against  her  enemies,  and  are  still  willing  to  do  it  accord- 
ing to  our  ability.  And,  as  we  thus  expect  to  bear  part  of  the  burthens 
with  them,  so  we  expect  to  share  in  the  privileges  which  so  happily 
adorn  and  distinguish  the  English  Government. 

We  esteem  it  an  essential  privilege  of  Britons  to  be  taxed  by  their 
own  representatives ; and  as  we  understand  it  a maxim  of  the  English 
Constitution,  that  no  man  can  be  separated  from  his  property  but  by 
his  ow  n consent  or  fault,  the  same  rights  w^e  claim  and  have  internally 
enjoyed  ever  since  the  settling  of  this  land.  And  now',  sir,  you  are 
sensible  that  we  had  no  voice  in  Parliament  in  making  the  Stamp  Act, 
which  levies  such  a heavy  tax  on  us,  and  is  especially  burthensome  on 
the  widow  and  fatherless : yea,  we  understand  we  could  not  be  heard 
by  petition  when  said  act  was  pending  in  Parliament,  owing,  as  we 
apprehend,  to  some  fault  in  our  agency. 

We  not  only  complain  of  the  unconstitutional  manner  of  making 
said  law,  but  the  grievous  burthen  laid  on  us  thereby ; and,  if  it  should 
be  executed,  will  prove  ruinous  to  us,  and  bring  us  into  a state  of  beg- 
gary, and  greatly  detrimental,  if  not  ruinous,  to  Great  Britain.  But, 
besides,  what  alarms  us  most  of  all  is  the  unparalleled  stretch  given 
to  admiralty  jurisdiction;  by  which  every  man,  at  the  option  of  a 
malicious  informer,  is  liable  to  be  carried  a thousand  miles  before 
a Court  of  Admiralty,  — from  where  he  is  known,  and  from  all  his 
friends,  — and  there  tried  without  jury,  and  amerced  by  an  arbitrary 
judge  of  that  court,  and  taxed  with  cost,  as  he  pleaseth ; and,  if  the 
party  have  not  wherewith  to  satisfy  the  same,  to  die  in  prison  in  an 
unknown  land,  without  friends  to  bury  him.  This  we  apprehend  to 
be  truly  deplorable,  and  directly  repugnant  to  Magna  Charta,. by. which 
no  Ireeman  shall  be  taken  and  imprisoned,  or  disseized  of  his  freehold 
or  liberties  or  free  customs,  nor  passed  upon  nor  condemned,  but  by 
the  lawful  judgment  of  his  peers,  or  by  the  law  of  the  land ; and  if  the 
judge  of  said  court  should,  either  through  weakness  or  w’ickeduess,  or 


APPENDIX. 


437 


wickedness  of  the  informer  or  evidences,  — who  to  him  may  be  un- 
known,— condemn  the  innocent,  there  is  no  appeal  but  to  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  which  not  one  of  your  constituents  will  be  able 
to  prosecute. 

Never  was  this  country  brought  into  such  a strait  before.  Such  is 
our  loyalty  to  the  king,  — whom  we  revere  next  under  God,  — our 
veneration  for  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain,  whom  we  esteem  as 
the  most  august  assembly  of  men  on  earth,  and  to  whose  constitutional 
laws  we  owe  all  obedience ; and  it  is  contrary  even  to  our  desires  to 
disobey  either,  but  would  sacrifice  our  lives  and  fortunes  in  their  de- 
fence : yet  such  is  our  love  to  the  English  Constitution  of  govern- 
ment, — the  best  calculated  on  earth,  both  for  the  honor  of  the  prince 
and  the  freedom  and  happiness  of  the  subject,  — in  which,  we  apprehend, 
we  have  a right  and  share.  The  love  we  have  to  our  fellow-subjects 
of  Great  Britain,  the  love  and  duty  we  owe  to  ourselves  and  posterity, 
yea,  the  first  instinct  in  nature,  — the  great  law  of  self-preservation,  — 
all  appear  contrary  to  said  act. 

In  this  dilemma  we  are  brought ; and  how  to  extricate  ourselves  we 
know  not.  To  disobey  any  just  and  equitable  law  of  Parliament,  we 
have  no  inclination ; to  obey  the  law,  we  must  sacrifice  our  liberty  and 
every  earthly  thing  that  is  dear  to  us,  and  bring  ourselves  and  posterity 
into  slavery  and  beggary,  and  open  a door  for  vice  and  villany,  and  to 
be  the  final  ruin  of  the  whole  English  continent. 

7Ve  lament  the  convulsions  we  are  already  thrown  into,  and  we 
detest  and  abhor  some  late  tumultuous  ravages  that  have  been  com- 
mitted, especially  on  the  26th  of  August  last,  wherein  his  Honor  our 
Lieutenant-Governor  suffered ; which,  we  apprehend,  was  perpetrated 
by  foreigners  and  ruffians  taking  occasion  by  the  present  commotions. 
As  these,  sir,  are  the  present  sentiments  of  said  act,  and  the  consequent 
of  the  execution,  we  must  enjoin  it  upon  you  by  no  means  to  give  your 
consent  to  any  measures  whatever  that  may  imply  our  willingness  to 
submit  to  it,  or  to  be  any  ways  aiding  or  assisting  in  putting  the  same 
in  execution ; but,  in  every  proper  measure,  we  expect  you  appear 
against  it : and,  as  the  stamp-officer  in  this  as  well  as  the  neighboring 
governments  have  declined  executing  their  respective  offices,  we  re- 
commend ^t  to  you  to  use  your  influence,  that  the  business  of  the 
government  be  carried  on  as  usual,  until  the  resolution  of  Parliament 
u{K>n  our  dutiful  and  humble  petition  be  known. 

Voted^  That  the  follpwing  additional  instructions  be  given  to  Capt. 
Brown  ; viz. : — 


438 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


We  cannot  at  this  time  help  expressing  our  surprise,  that  his  Ex- 
cellency the  Governor,  in  his  speech  to  the  General  Assembly  on  the 
twenty-fifth  day  of  September  last,  should  intimate  as  though  the 
Province  was  concerned  in  the  late  tumults  at  Boston,  and  thereby 
represent  us  an  undutiful  and  disloyal  people.  We  take  it  exceeding 
hard  that  such  intimations  should  come  from  that  chair;  which  may 
have  a tendency  to  set  us  in  a bad  and  false  light  at  home. 

We  expect,  therefore,  that  you  take  all  proper  measures  to  set  our 
innocency  in  a proper  and  clear  light,  and  the  abhorrence  we  have  of 
such  outrages,  when  not  one-thousandth  part  of  the  Province  knew  any 
thing  of  it:  and,  as  we  have  an  abhorrence  of  such  outrages,  so  we 
expect  that  you  by  no  means  consent  to  have  the  damages  to  the  suf- 
ferers made  up  to  them  out  of  the  public  treasury,  but  that  you  use 
your  influence  to  the  contrary,  lest  it  become  a bad  precedent,  and 
prove  an  encouragement  to  such  riotous  practices  for  the  future ; 
and  we  think,  though  recommended  as  a piece  of  justice,  yet  cannot 
be  done  by  the  government  on  any  other  footing  but  as  a deed  of 
mercy ; which,  if  the  perpetrators  are  not  able,  might  more  properly  be 
recommended  to  those  who  are  able  by  contribution. 


No.  2.  Sept.  19,  1768.  — The  town  of  Leicester  in  town-meeting 
assembled  Sept.  19,  1768,  in  consequence  of  the  alarming  crisis  of 
affairs ; and  on  motion  from  the  town  of  Boston,  after  choosing  Capt. 
Brown,  moderator,  entered  into  the  following  resolves:  — 

Principally,  and  first  of  all,  Resolved,  That  his  most  gracious 
Majesty  King  George  the  Third  is  our  most  rightful  liege  lord  and 
sovereign,  to  whom  we  owe  all  obedience  as  our  king;  and  that,  with 
our  lives  and  fortunes,  we  will  defend  him  and  the  Protestant  succes- 
sion in  his  royal  house,  which  we  heartily  wish  may  last  as  long  as  tlie 
sun  and  moon  endure,  and  for  which  we  will  not  cease  to  offer  up 
our  hearty  prayers  to  Almighty  God,  and  that  he  would  bring  to  nought 
and  confusion  all  his  majesty’s  secret  as  well  as  more  open  enemies. 

Resolved,  That  we  esteem  the  English  Constitution  of  government 
well  calculated  both  for  the  dignity  of  the  king  and  the  freedom  of  the 
subject,  as  founded  in  nature,  and  asserted  in  the  great  charter  of 
England  called  Magna  Charta,  in  the  Bill  of  Rights,  and  other  char- 
ters of  royal  authority. 

Resolved,  That  we  esteem  rights  belong  to  us  as  free-born  subjects 
of  his  royal  Majesty  the  King  of  Great  Britain. 


APPENDIX. 


439 


Resolved,  That  we  will  at  all  times  grant  such  aid  to  his  Majesty, 
even  to  the  sacrificing  of  our  lives,  as  the  necessity  of  the  case  may 
require. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  far  from  our  desire  to  object  against  any  act  of 
Parliament  but  such  as  infringe  upon  our  rights. 

Resolved,  That  we  look  upon  the  late  dissolution  of  the  General 
Court  of  the  Province,  and  the  delaying  to  call  another,  as  a real 
grievance ; as  they  are  the  assembly  of  the  estates  of  the  Province, 
and  guardians  of  the  people’s  rights,  to  whom  we  might  apply,  and  on 
whom  we  might  depend,  for  redress  of  all  wrongs  here,  and  to  con- 
sult measures  to  avoid  difficulties  that  might  be  coming  upon  us  from 
abroad. 

Being  deprived  of  such  a court,  — so  especial  in  our  Constitution, 
— on  a motion  made  from  the  town  of  Boston  to  hold  a convention  at 
Boston  on  the  22d  current, — 

Voted,  That  we  will  choose  a man  to  go  to  Boston,  to  join  those 
that  may  meet  there  at  the  time  aforesaid,  to  consult  such  measures 
(without  any  authority)  as  may  come  before  them. 

Then,  by  vote,  chose  Capt.  John  Brown  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Then  voted  to  give  instructions  to  Capt.  Brown  to  give  his  advice 
and  use  his  influence  that  all  rash  measures  be  prevented,  and  every 
mild  one  may  be  adopted  that  may  be  consistent  with  Englishmen 
claiming  their  rights. 

Daniel  Henshaw,  Moderator. 


No.  3.  Jan.  4,  1773.  — On  the  second  article  — a letter  from  the 
town  of  Boston,  and  a pamphlet,  wherein  the  rights  of  the  colonists, 
and  the  infringements  thereof,  are  set  forth  — being  read, — 

Voted,  That  the  rights,  as  there  stated,  do  belong  to  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Province. 

Voted,  That  they  will  choose  a committee  of  nine  persons  to  take 
the  matter  into  consideration,  and  report,  as  soon  as  may  be,  what  they 
think  proper  for  this  town  to  do  thereon. 

Then  voted  Capt.  Brown,  of  Leicester;  Capt.  Witt  and  Capt. 
Brown,  of  Paxton ; Mr.  Moses  Livermore  and  Joshua  Lamb,  of 
Spencer;  William  Henshaw  and  Hezekiah  Ward,  of  Leicester;  and 
Willard  Mower,  of  Paxton,  — be  the  committee  for  the  above  pur- 
pose. 

The  committee,  as  appointed  on  the  second  article,  reported  several 


440 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


resolves,  and  instructions  to  the  representative ; which,  after  seve- 
ral amendments,  were  accepted  unanimously ; and  are  as  follows  : — 

1st,  Resolved^  That  we  do  bear  true  allegiance  to  our  rightful 
sovereign  King  George  the  Third,  of  Great  Britain,  &c. ; and  are,  and 
always  have  been,  ready  to  hazard  our  lives  in  defence  of  his  person, 
crown,  and  dignity. 

2d,  Resolved,  That  we  have  a right  to  all  the  liberties  and  privileges 
of  subjects  born  within  the  realm  of  P^ngland;  and  that  we  esteem  and 
prize  them  so  highly,  that  we  think  it  our  duty  to  risk  our  lives 
and  fortunes  in  defence  thereof. 

3d,  Resolved,  That  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  has  enacted 
laws  subversive  of  our  rights  and  privileges,  in  a particular  manner,  in 
raising  a revenue  in  the  Colonies,  without  their  consent ; thereby  de- 
priving us  of  that  right  of  keeping  our  own  money  until  we  think  fit 
personally,  or  by  our  representative,  to  dispose  of  the  whole,  or  any 
part  thereof. 

4th,  Resolved,  That  neither  the  British  Parliament,  nor  any  other 
power  on  earth,  has  a right  to  dispose  of  one  farthing  of  our  money,  or 
any  of  our  property,  without  our  consent  in  person  or  by  our  represen- 
tative. 

5th,  Resolved,  That  the  carrying  any  person  or  persons  out  of  this 
Province,  beyond  the  seas  or  elsewhere,  for  any  supposed  or  real  crime 
committed  here,  is  against  Magna  Charta,  and  unconstitutional. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Denny,  Representative  of  the  Town  of  Leicester,  and  the  Districts  of 
Spencer  and  Paxton. 

We,  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  districts 
aforesaid,  legally  assembled  in  town-meeting,  after  having  taken  into 
serious  consideration  the  almost  insupportable  hardships  this  people 
have  been  long  laboring  under  by  a constant  and  uniform  plan  of  op- 
pression,— whereby  many  of  our  natural  and  constitutional  rights  are 
wrested  from  us,  — think  it  our  duty  to  communicate  to  you  our  senti- 
ments thereon,  not  doubting  but  you  will  heartily  concur  with  us 
therein. 

It  is  needless,  at  this  time,  to  recapitulate  all  our  rights,  and  the  in- 
fringements thereof,  seeing  they  are  so  fairly  set  forth  by  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town  of  Boston ; to  whom  we  return  our  sincere  thanks  for 
the  care  they  have  ever  shown  of  preserving  our  rights  and  privileges, 
of  which  their  late  circular-letter  is  a recent  instance. 

When  we  consider  that  our  property  is  taken  from  us  by  the 


APPENDIX. 


441 


British  Parliament  without  our  consent,  our  Governor  rendered  inde- 
pendent of  the  grants  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province,  and 
the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Court  made  wholly  dependent  on  the  crown 
for  their  support  (whereas  they  ought  to  be  as  independent  as  possible 
of  prince  and  people,  in  order  to  an  impartial  administration  of  justice), 
what  have  we  not  to  fear?  The  evils  arising  from  this  last  innovation 
are  so  plain  and  obvious,  even  to  a common  capacity,  that  we  shall 
forbear  dwelling  upon  them,  and  only  give  you  the  opinion  of  a 
patriotic  writer : “ What  must  be  our  chance,  when  the  laws  of  life 
and  death  are  to  be  spoken  by  judges  totally  dependent  on  the  crown ; 
sent,  perhaps,  from  Great  Britain ; filled  with  British  prejudices,  and 
backed  by  a standing  army  ? ” And  again : “ If  we  refiect  that  the 
judges  of  these  courts  are  to  be  during  pleasure ; that  they  are  to  have 
adequate  provision  made  for  them,  which  is  to  continue  during  their 
complaisant  behavior ; and  that  they  may  be  strangers  to  these  Colonies, 
— what  an  engine  of  oppression  may  this  authority  be  in  such 
hands ! ” 

It  has  been  said  in  behalf  of  the  judges  of  the  Superior  Court,  that 
the  annual  grants  made  them  have  not  been  adequate  to  their  services, 
and  the  expenses  attending  them. 

AVe  are  of  the  same  opinion;  and,  as  their  time  is  mostly  spent  in 
the  service  of  this  Province,  they  ought  to  receive  therefrom  an  honor- 
able support  during  their  good  behavior. 

These,  sir,  are  a few  of  the  many  grievances  we  complain  of ; and,  as 
you  are  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  rest,  we  need  not  enumerate 
them.  AVe  think  it  advisable,  and  would  have  you  use  your  interest, 
that  the  Honorable  House  of  Representatives  send  a dutiful  and  lojal 
petition  to  the  King,  and  a remonstrance  to  the  Commons,  of  Great 
Britain ; hoping  they  may  succeed,  as  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough  is  re- 
moved from  his  office,  and  succeeded  by  a nobleman  who  has  hitherto 
appeared  friendly  to  the  rights  of  the  Colonies.*  AVe  would  also 
recommend  to  you  to  promote,  as  far  as  in  you  lies,  an  intercourse 
with  the  sister  Colonies  on  this  continent  on  these  matters,  as  we  are 
all  embarked  in  one  common  cause,  that  the  joint  wisdom  of  the  whole 
be  exerted  in  removing  the  grievances  so  justly  complained  of. 

In  fine,  when  we  refiect  on  the  toils  our  forefathers  underwent  in  the 
settlement  of  this  country,  the  dangers  to  which  they  stood  continually 
exposed  from  an  insidious  and  bloodthirsty  enemy,  and  the  blood  and 


* Lord  Dartmouth. 
66 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


U2 


treasures  thej  expended,  we  think  ourselves  justly  entitled  to  all  the 
calamities  an  envious  despot  can  heap  upon  us,  should  we  tamely  and 
pusillanimously  suffer  the  execution  of  them.  It  would  be  despising 
the  bounties  of  our  Creator,  an  infamous  prostitution  of  ourselves,  and 
a total  disregard  of  posterity. 

Thus  we  have  briefly  given  you  our  sentiments,  and  trust  you  will 
use  your  utmost  efforts  for  a speedy  redress  of  our  grievances;  and 
may  the  Almighty  crown  them  with  abundant  success  ! 


No.  4.  May  19,  1773.  — At  a meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Leicester,  and  the  districts  of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  made  choice  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Denny  to  represent  them  in  the  Great  and  General  Court  the 
year  ensuing,  and  gave  him  the  following  instructions  : — 

Mr.  Thomas  Dexxt. 

Sir,  — You  have,  for  several  years  past,  successively  received  the 
almost  unanimous  voice  of  us,  your  constituents,  to  represent  us  in 
the  Great  and  General  Court,  or  Assembly,  of  this  Province.  And  it 
is  because  we  have  found  you  faithful  in  our  service,  willing  to  receive 
our  instructions,  and  gladly  to  execute  our  commands,  that  we  have 
now  given  you  a fresh  testimony  of  the  confidence  we  repose  in  you  by 
once  more  electing  you  our  representative ; whereby  we  have  intrusted 
you  with  the  preservation  of  all  our  rights  and  privileges,  which  we 
hold  as  dear  as  our  lives. 

As  we  have  lately  given  you  instructions  on  many  points,  it  is 
needless  to  repeat  them ; and  shall  only  remind  you  of  a few  things 
which  now  occur  to  our  minds. 

The  choosing  a Standing  Committee  of  Correspondence  and  Inquiry, 
agreeable  to  the  request  of  the  worthy  and  respectable  House  of  Bur- 
gesses of  Virginia,  we  think  highly  commendable ; and  desire  that  you 
use  your  interest  therefor  in  the  General  Assembly,  hoping  the  example 
will  be  followed  by  all  the  other  Assemblies  on  the  continent ; well 
knowing,  that,  by  a firm  union  alone,  we  shall  be  able  to  render 
abortive  the  machinations  of  our  enemies,  and  establish  our  liberties 
on  a solid  foundation. 

And,  as  we  have  the  highest  regard  for  (so  as  even  to  revere  the 
name  of)  liberty,  we  cannot  behold  but  with  the  greatest  abhorrence 
any  of  our  fellow-creatures  in  a state  of  slavery. 

Therefore  we  strictly  enjoin  you  to  use  your  utmost  influence  that 


APPENDIX. 


443 


a stop  maybe  put  to  the  slave-trade  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province ; 
which,  we  apprehend,  may  be  effected  by  one  of  these  two  ways : either 
by  laying  a heavy  duty  on  every  negro  imported  or  brought  from 
Africa  or  elsewhere  into  this  Province  ; or  by  making  a law,  that  every 
negro  brought  or  imported  as  aforesaid  should  be  a free  man  or  woman 
as  soon  as  they  come  within  the  jurisdiction  of  it ; and  that  every  negro 
child  that  shall  be  born  in  said  government  after  the  enacting  such  law 
should  be  free  at  the  same  age  that  the  children  of  white  people  are  ; 
and,  from  the  time  of  their  birth  till  they  are  capable  of  earning  their 
living,  to  be  maintained  by  the  town  in  which  they  are  born,  or  at  the 
expense  of  the  Province,  as  shall  appear  most  reasonable. 

Thus,  by  enacting  such  a law,  in  process  of  time  will  the  blacks 
become  free ; or,  if  the  Honorable  House  of  Representatives  shall  think 
of  a more  eligible  method,  we  shall  be  heartily  glad  of  it.  But  whether 
you  can  justly  take  away  or  free  a negro  from  his  master,  who  fairly 
purchased  him,  and  (although  illegally ; for  such  is  the  purchase  of  any 
person  against  their  consent,  unless  it  be  for  a capital  offence)  which 
the  custom  of  this  country  has  justified  him  in,  we  shall  not  determine ; 
but  hope  that  unerring  "Wisdom  will  direct  you  in  this  and  all  your  other 
important  undertakings. 

Xo.  o.  Dec.  27,  1773.  — At  a meeting  of  the  town  of  Leicester, 
-and  the  districts  of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  legally  convened  at  Leicester 
aforesaid  on  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  December,  1773,  the  following 
resolves  were  unanimously  passed : — 

1st,  Resolved,  That  we  bear  a due  allegiance  to  his  Majesty  King 
George  the  Third  ; and  are  ready  at  all  times,  at  the  hazard  of  our  lives 
and  interests,  to  defend  his  person,  crown,  and  dignity. 

2d,  Resolved,^  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province  have,  and  ever 
had,  the  sole  right  of  disposing  of  their  persons  and  estates  as  they 
might  think  proper. 

3d,  Resolved^  That  the  British  Parliament,  in  an  act  passed  soon 
after  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  claiming  a right  over  the  properties 
of  his  majesty’s  subjects  in  America,  is  a usurpation  of  authority  to 
which  no  power  on  earth  is  entitled,  and  contrary  to  the  fundamental 
principles  of  our  happy  Constitution. 

4th,  Resolvedy  That  the  laying  a duty  on  any  article  imported  into 
this  Province  from  Great  Britain  is  an  exercise  of  that  unjustly  as- 
sumed prerogative,  and  loudly  calls  upon  every  friend  to  his  country  to 
oppose  so  destructive  a measm’e ; and  that  we  will  oppose  to  the  ut- 


444 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


most  of  our  power,  at  the  hazard  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  any  imposi- 
tions unconstitutionally  laid  upon  us. 

5th,  Resolved,  That  we  will  not  use  any  tea  in  our  families,  or 
suffer  any  to  be  consumed  therein,  while  loaded  with  a tribute  contrary 
to  our  consent ; and  that  whoever  shall  sell  any  of  that  destructive  herb 
shall  be  deemed  by  us  inimical  to  the  rights  of  his  country,  as  endea- 
voring to  counteract  the  designs  of  those  who  are  zealous  for  its  true 
interests. 

6th,  Resolved,  That  we  highly  approve  of  the  measures  entered  into 
by  our  brethren  in  Boston  and  the  towns  adjacent  at  their  late  meet- 
ings, and  return  them  our  hearty  thanks  for  the  firmness  and  intrepidity 
so  conspicuous  in  them,  when,  despising  the  insolence  of  office,  they 
discovered  to  the  world  a true  sense  of  the  blessings  which  our  Consti- 
tution affords,  and  a noble  resolution  to  defend  them. 

After  which,  it  was  Voted,  That  a committee  of  fourteen  persons  be 
appointed  for  the  inspecting  any  teas  that  may  be  sold  or  consumed  in 
the  town  and  districts  aforesaid,  and  report  at  the  annual  meeting 
in  May  the  names  of  the  persons  so  offending ; and  a committee  was 
accordingly  chosen. 

Ordered,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  town  be  recorded  by  the 
town-clerk,  and  forwarded  by  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  to 
the  committee  in  Boston. 


No.  6.  May  19,  1774.  — At  the  adjournment  of  the  annual  May 
meeting,  it  was  Voted,  That  the  letter  prepared  by  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  be  forthwith  transmitted  by  the  clerk  of  this  town  to 
the  town-clerk  of  Boston ; and  is  as  follows  : — 


Leicester,  May  19,  1774. 

Gentlemen,  — Yours  of  the  12th  instant  has  come  safe  to  hand; 
which  informs  us  of  an  act  of  the  British  Parliament  for  blocking  up 
the  harbor  of  Boston  with  a fleet  of  ships  of  war ; prohibiting  the  en- 
trance or  exportation  of  any  sort  of  merchandise,  on  penalty  of  for- 
feiture of  such  goods  and  vessels  which  carry  the  same,  so  long  as  said 
act  shall  continue,  or,  in  other  words,  until  the  Province  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay  shall  acknowledge  the  right  of  the  British  Parliament  to  tax 
them  in  all  cases  whatsoever ; which,  we  hope,  will  never  be  complied 
with  while  there  is  an  American  living. 

The  act  referred  to  we  have  seen,  and  think  it  the  most  arbitrary  of 


APPENDIX. 


445 


any  that  has  been  passed  since  the  Revolution,  — an  act  replete  with  spite 
and  malice,  and  vesting  his  majesty  with  a right  to  the  soil  of  America ; 
for  if  the  said  Parliament  have  power  to  invest  his  majesty  with  a 
right  to  dispose  of  private  property,  or  can  assign  and  appoint  any  par- 
ticular quays  or  wharves  for  the  landing  or  discharging,  lading  and 
shipping,  of  goods,  as  his  majesty  shall  think  proper,  they  may,  with 
the  same  propriety,  pass  an  act  prohibiting  any  town  or  husbandman 
from  sowing  grain,  mowing  grass,  and  feeding  his  pastures,  so  long  as 
his  majesty  thinks  proper. 

And  the  penalty  is,  that  if  any  person  offends  in  landing  of  goods  or 
merchandise,  or  in  the  lading  or  putting  them  off  at  any  other  quay 
or  wharf  so  appointed,  they  are  to  be  forfeited,  together  with  the  ships, 
boats,  cattle,  and  carriages  which  are  used  to  convey  the  same.  In 
like  manner  may  they  make  a forfeiture  of  our  houses,  lands,  cattle, 
&c.,  if  we  offer  to  improve  them,  without  his  majesty’s  special  license. 

. We  hope,  gentlemen,  you  will  not  be  intimidated  by  this  arbitrary 
act,  although  your  town  may  suffer  greatly  in  its  trade,  and  your  poor 
— who  maintained  themselves  by  their  daily  labor  — should  be  unem- 
ployed. We  doubt  not  a kind  Providence  will  find  out  a way  for  their 
support,  and  that  the  other  Colonies  will  stand  by  you  ; and  we  hope 
there  is  no  town  in  this  Province  will  be  so  ungrateful  as  to  forsake 
you. 

The  cause  is  interesting  to  all  America ; and  all  America  must  be 
convinced  of  this  great  truth,  “ By  uniting,  we  shall  stand.” 

AYe  hope  and  believe  that  Great  Britain  will  be  soon  convinced  that 
the  Americans  can  live  as  long  without  their  trade  as  they  can  without 
ours. 

You  w'ill  see  the  instructions  given  to  the  representative  of  this 
town  and  districts,  w-hich  will  show  the  abhorrence  they  have  of  the 
forementioned  act ; and  we  believe  they  will  give  you  all  the  support 
in  their  power. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  with  esteem. 

Your  friends  and  fellow-countrymen, 

Wm.  IIenshaw,  per  order. 


No.  7.  July  6,  1774.  — At  a town-meeting  legally  warned  and 
assembled,  — 

Voted,  That  there  be  a committee  appointed  to  draw  up  resolves, 
formed  on  the  sentiments  of  the  town  and  districts,  on  the  present 


446 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


melancholy  situation  of  this  country ; and  that  the  following  persons  be 
a committee  for  that  purpose : viz.,  Thomas  Denny,  Joseph  Henshaw, 
and  Joseph  Allen,  of  Leicester;  James  Draper  and  Joseph  Wilson,  of 
Spencer ; Oliver  Witt  and  Ralph  Earle,  of  Paxton. 

Voted,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  for  draughting  the  resolves 
be  accepted ; which  is  as  follows : — 

At  a meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Leicester  and  districts  of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  on  the  sixth  day  of 
July,  1774, — not  tumultuously,  riotously,  or  seditiously,  but  soberly 
and  seriously,  as  men,  as  freemen,  and  as  Christians,  — to  take  into 
our  consideration  the  present  distressed  state  of  our  affairs  : the  harbor 
of  our  metropolis  blockaded  with  an  armed  force,  whereby  no  trade  or 
commerce  is  suffered  to  be  carried  on,  and  they,  with  us,  prevented 
the  common  means  of  procuring  support ; great  numbers  in  the  town 
of  Boston  suffering  by  this  means  for  their  daily  bread ; our  General 
Assembly  dissolved  for  resolving  upon  a method  to  reconcile  the  differ- 
ence between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies,  so  earnestly  desired  by 
every  good  man. 

We  are  threatened  with  acts  of  Parliament  to  overturn  our  Con- 
stitution, to  destroy  the  Democratic  part  thereof,  and  to  establish  ab- 
solute monarchy,  — which  threatens  tyranny,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
this  Province  with  slavery.  After  seriously  debating  and  considering 
the  deplorable  circumstances  we  are  in,  and  threatened  to  be  brought 
into,  by  an  act  of  the  British  Parliament  for  blocking  up  the  harbor 
of  Boston,  which  is  repugnant  to  every  idea  of  justice  ; is  putting 
themselves  into  a state  of  war  with  said  town ; depriving  its  inhabi- 
tants, with  every  other  part  of  the  Province  who  are  inclined  to  use 
trade  in  said  port,  of  those  privileges,  for  the  support  and  convenience 
of  their  families,  which  God  and  nature  hath  given  them ; and  hath  a 
direct  tendency  to  alienate  the  affections  of  the  people  of  this  Province 
and  the  other  Colonies  on  the  continent  from  the  mother-country,  and 
to  create  discord  and  confusion:  — 

Under  these  embarrassments,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  constitution  of  government  we  are  under,  and  recognize 
those  rights  and  privileges  which  we  do  or  ought  to  enjoy,  that  pos- 
terity may  know  what  our  claims  are,  and  to  what  struggles  we  are 
called  in  defence  of  them. 

Our  forefathers  came  into  this  land  when  it  was  a howling  wilderness, 
inhabited  only  by  savages,  of  whom  they  purchased  the  soil  without  the 
assistance  of  any  other  power  or  state.  They  took  the  King  of  Great 


APPENDIX. 


447 


Britain,  or  whoever  should  be  King  of  England,  to  be  their  king,  under 
such  limitations,  restrictions,  and  regulations  as  by  a charter,  under  the 
Great  Seal  granted  by  King  Charles  II.,  was  stipulated  and  agreed ; 
which  charter,  in  the  arbitrary  reign  of  King  James,  was  forcibly 
and  wrongfully  wrested  from  the  Colony : and  afterwards  another  was 
granted  by  King  William  and  Queen  Mary  of  glorious  memory,  which 
charter  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present  constitution  of  government 
in  this  Province ; wherein  it  is  granted  and  confirmed  under  the  Great 
Seal,  that  the  King  shall  appoint  the  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor, 
and  Secretary ; and  that  there  shall  be  held  and  kept  by  the  Governor 
a General  Court,  or  Assembly,  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  May,  for  ever ; 
which  General  Court,  or  Assembly,  shall  consist  of  the.  Governor, 
Council,  and  such  freeholders  as  shall  be  from  time  to  time  elected 
and  deputed  by  the  several  towns  in  the  Province ; which  Assembly 
shall  choose  twenty-eight  councillors  yearly,  and  every  year  for  ever 
thereafter. 

And  it  is  further  ordained  by  said  Royal  Charter,  that  the  General 
Court  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  erect  and  constitute 
judicatories,  and  courts  of  records,  to  be  held  in  the  name  of  the 
king,  for  the  hearing,  trying,  and  determining  all  manner  of  crimes, 
offences,  pleas,  processes,  plaints,  actions,  causes,  and  things  whatso- 
ever, arising  or  happening  within  the  Province  ; and  also  with  full 
power  and  authority,  from  time  to  time,  to  make,  ordain,  and  establish 
all  manner  of  wholesome  and  reasonable  orders,  laws,  statutes,  direc- 
tions, and  instructions,  either  with  penalties  or  without  (so  as  the  same 
be  not  repugnant  or  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  realm  of  England),  as 
they  shall  judge  to  be  for  the  good  and  welfare  of  the  Province,  and 
for  the  governing  and  ordering  thereof,  and  of  the  people  inhabiting 
or  who  may  inhabit  the  same,  and  for  the  necessary  support  and 
government  thereof. 

And,  further,  it  is  granted  and  ordained,  that  the  Great  and  General 
Court  shall  impose  and  levy  proportionate  rates  and  taxes  upon  the 
estates  and  persons  of  all  and  every  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Pro- 
vince, to  be  issued  and  disposed  of  for  the  necessary  defence  and  sup- 
port of  the  government  of  the  Province.  And  therein  it  is  further 
ordained,  that  the  Governor,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Council,  shall  from  time  to  time  appoint  judges,  sheriffs,  justices  of  the 
peace,  and  other  officers  belonging  to  the  King’s  Court.  And  further, 
that  all  and  every  of  the  subjects  of  the  king,  which  go  to  inhabit  said 
Province,  or  be  born  there,  shall  have  and  enjoy  all  the  liberties  and 


448 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


immunities  of  free  and  natural  subjects,  to  all  intents,  constructions, 
and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  if  they  and  every  of  them  were  born 
within  the  realm  of  England. 

As  the  charter  aforesaid  is  the  basis  of  the  civil  constitution  of 
government  in  this  Province,  w'e  hold  the  same  as  sacred,  and  that 
no  power  on  earth  whatsoever  hath  right  or  authority  to  disannul  or 
revoke  said  charter  or  any  of  it,  or  abridge  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Province  of  any  of  the  powers,  privileges,  or  immunities,  therein  stipu- 
lated or  agreed  to  be  holden  by  every  person  inhabiting  said  Province ; 
and  therefore  w’e,  the  inhabitants  of  the  towm  of  Leicester  and  districts 
of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  in  town-meeting  assembled,  do  now^,  both  in 
our  corporate  and  separate  capacities,  claim,  assert,  and  demand  the 
said  powers,  privileges,  and  immunities  as  our  indefeasible  rights ; and, 
therefore,  — 

Voted  and  Resolved^  That  any  person,  powder,  or  state,  that  shall 
attempt  or  endeavor,  by  any  means  wdiatsoever,  to  destroy  or  nullify 
said  charter,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  and,  to  effect  such  design, 
shall  attempt  to  deprive  the  people  of  this  Province,  or  any  of  them, 
of  said  powers  and  privileges  stipulated  and  granted  in  the  charter, 
is  an  enemy  to  the  Province,  and  thereby  puts  him,  her,  or  them,  into 
a state  of  war  with  the  Province  and  every  inhabitant  thereof ; and 
ou"ht  to  be  so  esteemed,  and  treated  accordingly. 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  no  power,  state,  or  potentate,  have  right 
to  make  law^s,  orders,  statutes,  or  ordinances,  for  the  internal  police  of 
this  his  majesty’s  Province,  but  the  Legislature  established  within  the 
same,  as  set  forth  and  ordained  in  the  charter;  or  to  repeal,  nullify,  or 
make  void,  any  law  or  law's  already  made  by  the  Legislature  thereof 
(excepting  the  king,  as  stipulated  in  said  charter,  in  a limited  time), 
but  the  same  Legislature  w'hich  made  them : and,  therefore,  any  law 
made  for  that  purpose  by  any  other  powder,  state,  or  potentate,  is,  ipso 
facto,  null  and  void,  and  ought  to  be  esteemed  so  by  every  inhabitant 
in  the  Province. 

Resolved,  That  every  court  or  judicatory  set  up  for  the  hearing  and 
determining  of  any  crimes,  offences,  actions,  causes,  or  things  whatso- 
ever, that  may  arise  wdthin  this  Province,  other  than  such  as  have  been 
or  may  be  established  by  the  charter  or  by  the  laws  of  the  Province, 
is,  in  our  opinion,  unconstitutional  and  illegal;  and  every  judgment, 
decree,  or  determination,  entered  up  or  made  by  such  court,  is  void  ; 
and  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province  ought  not  to  submit  to,  or 
pay  any  regard  to,  such  judgment  or  determination;  and  that  every 


APPE^'DIX. 


449 


officer,  endeavoring  to  put  into  execution  any  judgment  or  determination 
so  entered  up  by  such  court,  ought  to  be  resisted  by  every  inhabitant 
of  the  Province,  and  treated  as  a person  endeavoring  to  subvert  the 
Constitution  of  this  Province,  and  the  order  of  judicial  proceedings 
therein  established. 

Resolved,,  That  as  the  trial  by  juries  is  a grand  barrier  against 
arbitrary  power,  and  is  the  right  of  every  subject  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  (being  granted  by  ]\lagna  Charta),  which  right  belongs  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  Province ; and  that  such  jurors  be  appointed  and 
chosen,  summoned,  and  impanelled,  according  to  the  laws  of  this  Pro- 
vince, and  the  usual  custom  and  practice  therein ; and  that  a jury 
summoned,  called,  and  impanelled  by  any  other  method,  or  by  virtue 
of  any  other  edict  or  law  whatsoever,  is  illegal ; and  it  is  tlie  duty  of 
every  person,  who  may  be  summoned  as  a juror  by  any  other  way 
than  the  laws  of  this  Province,  to  refuse  to  obey  such  summons,  or 
to  refuse  being  impanelled.  And,  further, — 

Resolved,  That  any  verdict  entered  up  b}’-  a jury  summoned  and 
impanelled  in  any  other  way  than  by  the  laws  of  this  Province,  and 
the  ancient  usage  and  custom  of  the  executive  courts,  is,  in  our  opinion, 
null  and  void. 

Resolved,  That  we  will,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  maintain  and 
support  the  king’s  authority  in  this  Province,  according  to  the  charter 
aforesaid  ; and  that  we  will  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  even  to  the 
risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  support  and  maintain  the  execution  of 
the  laws  of  this  Province,  as  established  by  the  chai'ter  and  the  Legis- 
lature thereof. 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  pretending  to  be  officers,  who  were  not 
appointed  according  to  charter  or  the  laws  of  this  Province,  have  no 
right  to  exercise  such  office ; and,  therefore,  any  person  pretending 
to  officiate  therein  ought  to  be  resisted. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  not  by  ourselves,  or  any  for,  by,  or  under 
us,  directly  or  indirectly,  purchase  any  goods  that  may  be  imported 
from  Great  Britain  after  the  thirty-tirst  day  of  August  next ; and  that 
we  will  break  off  all  commercial  connections  with  any  merchant,  trader, 
or  factor,  who  shall  import  goods  from  Great  Britain  into  this  Province 
after  said  time  ; and  that  we  will  not  purchase  any  goods  of  such  trader 
who  shall  purchase  such  goods,  or  offer  or  expose  them  for  sale,  until 
the  harbor  of  Boston  be  opened,  and  the  tea-duty  taken  off,  unless 
other  measures  for  our  redress  be  recommended  by  General  Con- 
gress. 


67 


450 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  person  whatever,  arrived  to 
age  of  discretion,  as  much  as  may  be  consistent  wdth  their  business 
and  occupation  for  the  support  of  their  families,  to  associate  together, 
and  discourse  and  inform  themselves  of  their  rights  and  privileges  as 
men,  as  member  of  society  and  the  English  Constitution ; that  they 
may  not  be  imposed  upon  by  those  men  who  look  upon  them  with 
envy,  and  are  using  every  art  to  deprive  the  laborious  part  of  man- 
kind of  the  fruits  of  their  own  labor,  and  wish  to  live  in  luxury  on  that 
of  others. 


No.  8.  Sept.  29,  1774.  — At  a meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Leicester,  and  the  districts  of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  Mr.  Thomas 
Denny  was  chosen  to  represent  them  in  the  Great  and  General  Court 
to  be  convened  at  Salem,  in  the  county  of  Essex,  on  the  fifth  day  of 
October  next. 

Voted,  That  instructions  be  given  to  the  representative,  and  that  the 
following  persons  be  a committee  for  draughting  them ; viz. : Capt. 
Joseph  Henshaw,  Capt.  John  Brown,  Joseph  Allen,  Deacon  Muzzy, 
Dr.  Ormes,  Phinehas  Moore,  and  Capt.  Willard  Moore. 

Voted,  That  the  following  instructions,  after  being  read  paragraph 
by  paragraph,  be  given  to  the  representative ; viz. : — 


To  Mr.  Thomas  Denxy. 

Sir,  — Your  constituents  cannot  give  you  a greater  testimony  of 
their  confidence  in  your  integrity  and  resolution  than  by  re-electing 
you  their  representative  at  the  ensuing  Great  and  General  Court,  or 
Assembly,  to  be  convened  at  Salem  on  Wednesday,  the  fifth  day  of 
October  next,  — a time  which  requires  the  greatest  prudence,  on  the 
one  hand,  to  guard  against  any  unavailing  obstinacy ; and,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  utmost  firmness  to  avoid  falling  into  any  supine  acquiescence 
derogatory  of  the  rights  to  which  the  inhabitants  of  this  Province  are 
justly  entitled.  They  think  proper  to  give  you  the  following  instruc- 
tions ; viz. : — 

In  the  first  place,  — agreeable  to  the  recommendation  of  the  Worces- 
ter Convention,  — we  instruct  and  strictly  enjoin  you  that  you  refuse  to 
be  sworn  by  any  person  except  such  as  may  be  appointed  agreeable 
to  the  charter  of  this  Province ; and  likewise  refuse  to  be  sworn  by  the 
Lieutenant-Governor,  who  has  taken  the  oaths’as  a councillor  by  man- 
damus from  the  king. 

2.  That  you  by  no  means  act  in  conjunction  with  the  Council  ap- 


APPENDIX. 


451 


pointed  by  mandamus  from  the  king,  or  such  of  the  councillors  elected 
in  May  last  who  have  since  been  sworn  into  said  council. 

3.  That  you  absolutely  refuse  to  be  adjourned  to  Boston,  wdiile  that 
town  is  garrisoned  with  troops  and  surrounded  with  ships  of  war ; and, 
should  any  thing  impede  your  acting  as  a House  at  'Salem,  that  you 
immediately  repair  to  Concord,  and  join  the  Provincial  Congress  to 
be  convened  at  said  place  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  October  next,  and 
there  to  observe  the  instructions  which  may  be  given  by  us,  from  time 
to  time,  for  the  rule  of  your  conduct  in  that  assembly. 

We  would  recommend  that  you  join  with  those  members  which  may 
be  present  at  Salem  in  a body,  to  consult  and  determine  upon  some 
proper  plan  of  conduct,  before  you  offer  yourself  to  be  sworn ; that  so 
every  member  may  regulate  his  behavior  accordingly. 


No.  9.  Oct.  10, 1774.  — At  a meeting  of  the  town  of  Leicester,  and 
the  districts  of  Spencer  and  Paxton,  — 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Denny  be  the  only  person  to  represent 
this  town  at  the  ensuing  Provincial  Convention  to  be  holden  at  Con- 
cord. 

The  following  instructions,  drawn  up  by  the  committee  chosen  on 
the  29th  September  last,  were  separately  read,  and  accepted  by  said 
town  and  districts  : — 

To  Col.  Thomas  Dennt. 

Sir,  — You  are  delegated  by  the  town  of  Leicester,  and  districts  of 
Spencer  and  Paxton,  to  represent  them  at  the  ensuing  General  Con- 
vention, — an  assembly  in  which,  at  this  dark  and  difficult  day,  perhaps 
the  most  important  business  will  come  before  you  that  was  ever  trans- 
acted since  the  settlement  of  North  America.  No  period  since  the 
Revolution  has  worn  a more  gloomy  and  alarming  aspect. 

A series  of  occurrences  and  events  afford  great  reason  to  believe  that 
a deep  and  desperate  plan  of  despotism  has  been  laid  for  the  extinction 
of  civil  liberty,  and  which  threatens  universal  havoc.  Every  thing 
now  conspires  to  prompt  the  full  exertion  of  true  policy,  valor,  and 
intrepidity.  The  choice  your  constituents  have  made  in  this  day  of 
trial,  as  it  manifests  their  affection  and  confidence,  so  they  doubt  not  it 
will  excite  your  warmest  attachment  and  closest  attention  to  the  com- 
mon cause ; and  therefore  communicate  their  sentiments  to  you  in  a few 
following  particulars : — 


452 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


1st,  That  you  keep  those  invaluable  rights  and  liberties,  which  have 
been  handed  down  to  us  by  our  ancestors,  ever  near  your  heart. 
Charters  have  become  bubbles,  — empty  shadows,  without  any  certain 
stability  or  security:  therefore  we  instruct  that  you  oppose  any  mo- 
tions which  may  be  made  for  patching  up  that  under  King  William 
and  Queen  Mary.  As  the  British  Parliament  have,  by  some  late  edicts, 
declared  the  most  essential  parts  thereof  null  and  void,  and  are,  vi  et 
armis,  forcing  their  decrees,  it  behooves  us  to  stand  on  the  defensive : 
and  as  we  are  without  form,  and  void,  and  darkness  seems  to  cover  the 
face  of  the  land,  we  direct  that  your  influence  be  employed,  in  the  first 
place,  towards  establishing  some  form  of  government,  courts  of  judica- 
ture, &c.,  as  may  be  best  adapted  to  our  present  circumstances ; re- 
membering, in  this  and  every  other  transaction,  to  keep  close  to  the 
advice  you  may,  from  time  to  time,  receive  from  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, and  avoid  every  act  which  may  militate  with  their  general  plan. 

2d,  That  you  endeavor  to  have  the  militia  of  the  Province  put  on 
the  most  respectable  footing,  and  that  every  town  be  supplied  with  one 
or  more  field-pieces,  properly  mounted,  and  furnished  with  ammunition. 
A militia,  composed  of  the  yeomanry  and  proprietors  of  the  country,  is 
its  surest  defence : therefore  we  esteem  it  a matter  of  the  last  necessity 
that  they  be  properly  disciplined,  and  taught  the  art  of  war,  with  all 
expedition,  as  we  know  not  how  soon  we  may  be  called  to  action. 

3d,  As  we  esteem  the  Province  treasury  to  be  unsafe  in  the  town  of 
Boston  while  in  its  present  disordered  state,  we  instruct  that  you  en- 
deavor for  its  removal  to  some  place  of  safety  remote  from  the  capital ; 
and  that  the  treasurer  be  directed  to  exhibit  his  accounts  of  the  treasury 
to  be  audited,  and,  in  case  of  deficiency,  that  sufficient  security  be  ob- 
tained therefor. 

4th,  That  you  inquire  by  what  authority  the  Lieutenant-General 
has  taken  possession  of  the  Common-land  within  the  limits  of  Boston, 
— being  the  property  of  that  town,  — and  require  the  intrenchments 
there  made  to  be  demolished,  and  the  fortification  at  the  entrance  of 
the  town  to  be  dismantled.  Also  by  what  authority  the  powder  in  the 
Arsenal  at  Charlestown  was  removed,  the  carriages  belonging  to 
the  train  of  artillery  in  Boston  seized  and  detained,  with  many  other 
acts  of  rapine  and  violence,  which  it  is  probable  may  be  laid  before  you  ; 
and  make  restitution  therefor. 

5th,  That  you  cause  a just  estimate  to  be  made  of  the  daily  loss 
accruing  to  the  town  of  Boston  and  the  Province  from  the  stoppage  of 
their  trade,  prohibition  of  water-carriage,  and  all  other  loss  and  damage 


APPENDIX. 


453 


of  every  kind,  resulting  in  consequence  of  the  operation  of  an  act  of  the 
British  Parliament  for  blockading  the  harbor  of  Boston,  and  one  other 
act  for  subverting  the  civil  government  of  this  Province. 

6th,  That  you  use  all  suitable  means  to  encourage  arts  and  manu- 
factures among  us  by  granting  premiums,  or  any  other  ways  which  may 
be  most  conducive  to  this  end,  — one  of  which,  we  apprehend,  to  be  by 
devising  some  effectual  method  for  the  strict  and  religious  observance 
of  the  non-consumption  agreement  so  generally  entered  into  through 
this  Province ; and  also  by  promoting  the  continental  plan  for  the  en- 
tire prevention  of  all  imports  and  exports  to  and  from  Great  Britain, 
and,  should  it  be  judged  necessary,  the  English  West-India  Islands. 

7th,  That  you  promote  a friendly  and  intimate  correspondence  with 
our  sister  Colonies  of  Canada,  Nova  Scotia,  &c. ; that  so  the  whole 
continent  of  North  America,  as  they  have  one  common  cause  and  in- 
terest, may  thereby  unite  in  the  same  measures.  We  are  not  in  doubt, 
at  this  day,  how  essential  a point  our  enemies  esteem  it  to  divide  us, 
that  we  may  fall  an  easy  prey;  and  surely  our  solicitude  for  a strict 
union  ought  to  be  proportionate  to  their  opposition,  especially  when  we 
consider  how  difficult  larg*e  bodies  are  brought  to  unite  in  one  and  the 
same  sentiments,  while  our  enemies,  with  a single  Jiat,  are  ready  with 
their  whole  force  to  rush  upon  us. 

8th,  That  those  contumacious  persons,  who,  in  defiance  of  the  groans 
and  entreaties  of  their  fellow-countrymen,  have  obstinately  persisted  in 
their  resolutions  to  endeavor,  so  far  as  in  them  lay,  the  destruction  of 
that  civil  government  under  which  they  have  been  protected  (and  many 
of  whom  have  been  cherished  and  grown  wanton  with  its  smiles),  by 
being  sworn  and  acting  as  councillors  by  mandamus  from  the  king,  in 
direct  violation  of  the  charter,  together  with  such  others  who  have 
proved  themselves  notoriously  inimical  to  their  country,  be  apprehended, 
and  secured  for  trial. 

9th,  That,  as  amidst  all  the  trouble  and  difficulties  from  the  hands  of 
wicked  men  under  which  we  groan,  we  have  experienced  many  and 
great  favors  from  the  hand  of  God,  in  the  course  of  the  year  past,  by 
discovering  the  machinations  of  our  enemies,  whereby  we  have  in  some 
measure  frustrated  their  designs ; by  permitting  no  epidemical  disease 
to  pass  through  the  land  ; by  giving  a suitable  seedtime,  a plenteous 
harvest,  and  crowning  the  year  with  II is  goodness. 

These  and  many  other  instances  of  the  divine  favor  demand  our 
most  grateful  recognition  ; and  we  should  be  still  more  unworthy  of 
them,  should  we,  by  too  close  an  attachment  to  our  present  difficulties, 


454 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


neglect  to  offer  our  tribute  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  therefor  to  that 
Being  from  whom  alone  must  come  all  our  help.  TVe  instruct  that  you 
endeavor  that  a day  may  be  set  apart  for  this  religious  purpose. 

10th,  There  is  no  doubt  but  many  other  matters  than  what  are  above 
enumerated  will  come  under  your  consideration.  As  they  do  not  at 
present  occur,  we  must  leave  them  to  your  judgment. 

Confiding  in  your  prudence  and  unshaken  resolution,  we  commend 
you,  and  the  concerns  you  are  intrusted  with,  to  the  divine  protection 
and  blessing. 


Xo.  10.  Jan.  9,  1775.  — At  a meeting  of  the  town  and  districts 
aforesaid.  Voted,  That  Joseph  Allen,  Capt.  Washburn,  Deacon  Muzzy, 
Dr.  Frink,  and  Capt.  Samuel  Green,  be  a committee  to  draw  instruc- 
tions for  the  member  chosen. 

Voted,  That'  the  instructions  be  accepted ; which  are  as  follows  : — 
To  Col.  Joseph  Hexshaw. 

Sir,  — You  are  delegated  this  day,  by  the  town  of  Leicester  and 
district  of  Spencer,  to  represent  them  at  the  ensuing  Provincial  Con- 
gress. The  distress  of  the  country,  arising  from  the  ruinous  system 
of  Colony  administration  adopted  ten  or  twelve  years  past,  has  got  to 
that  height  as  will  require  the  whole  united  wisdom  and  firmness  of 
the  Congress  to  remove. 

We,  your  constituents,  instruct  and  require  that  you  promote  with 
all  your  influence  any  plan  for  the  common  good  which  may  be  gene- 
rally adopted  by  the  Congress  ; and,  considering  the  present  situation 
of  the  Province,  — its  defenceless,  loose,  disjointed  state,  and  the  appa- 
rent danger  of  its  sinking  into  anarchy  and  confusion,  — do  particularly 
instruct  that  you  urge  an  immediate  assumption  of  government,  as 
the  only  means  by  which  we  may  be  reduced  to  order,  and  the  laws 
of  the  Province  have  their  usual  and  uninterrupted  course;  remem- 
bering in  this  to  keep  as  near  the  charter  as  the  perplexed  state  of 
the  Province  will  admit,  and  to  have  the  measures  of  the  American 
Congress  in  constant  view,  so  that  both  may  co-operate  for  the  general 
good. 

Particular  matters  will  no  doubt  turn  up  in  the  course  of  the  ses- 
sion, which  as  we,  your  constituents,  are  not  now  apprised  of,  so  cannot 
particularly  instruct ; but,  confiding  in  your  integrity  and  resolution,  we 
commend  you  and  the  concerns  you  are  intrusted  with  to  the  divine 
blessing. 


APPENDIX. 


455 


No.  11.  July  13,  1775.  — At  a meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Leicester,  Voted  to  give  instructions  to  their  representative. 

Votedy  That  Joseph  Allen,  William  Green,  Capt.  Samuel  Green, 
Joseph  Henshaw,  and  Joseph  Sargent,  be  a committee  to  frame  the 
instructions. 

Voted.,  That  the  following  instructions  be  accepted : — 

To  Mr.  Hezekiah  Ward,  Representative  of  the  Town  of  Leicester. 

Sir,  — At  this  most  critical  and  important  period,  on  which  are 
suspended  the  happiness  or  ruin  of  British  America,  you  are  called 
by  the  suffrages  of  your  townsmen  to  represent  them  in  the  ensuing 
General  Assembly  of  this  Province. 

To  this  important  now.,  posterity  will  look  back  either  with  joy  and 
admiration,  secure  in  the  possession  of  their  inestimable  liberties ; or 
with  the  keenest  sensations  of  grief,  while  they  drag  the  galling  chain 
of  servitude. 

Since  the  settlement  of  America,  no  period  has  been  so  replete 
with  great  and  interesting  events  as  the  present ; and  it  will  require 
the  utmost  exertions  of  the  human  mind  to  counteract  the  designs  of 
our  enemies. 

On  these  considerations,  we  think  proper  to  give  you  the  following 
instructions  ; viz.  : — 

1st,  It  is  our  will,  and  we  do  instruct  j^ou,  that  you  govern  yourself 
by  resolves  and  orders  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  all  matters  for 
which  that  honorable  body  shall  give  directions. 

2d,  That,  in  the  establishment  of  government,  you  use  your  influ- 
ence, in  the  most  open  and  unreserved  manner,  that  such  persons  be 
excluded  from  any  share  therein  wdio  have  shown  themselves  inimical 
to  the  rights  of  their  country  ; and  likewise  those  tar  more  dangerous 
still,  and  more  to  be  despised,  who,  w’aiting  the  tide  of  events,  have, 
with  a modesty  peculiar  to  themselves,  declined  to  support  the  just 
claims  of  their  country  in  opposition  to  the  tyrants  who  would  enslave 
it:  but  that  you  exert  your  utmost  abilities  that  such  persons  be  ap- 
pointed to  oflSces  of  trust  as  have  discovered  themselves  to  be  men  of 
religion  and  virtue,  and  at  the  same  time  of  penetration,  genius,  and 
kiiQwdedge ; who  have  uniformly  stood  forth  the  resolute  defenders  of 
the  rights  of  their  country. 

3d,  That  you  view'  with  a jealous  yet  candid  eye  the  disposition 
and  motions  of  the  American  Armv ; always  remembering  the  im- 
portance of  preserving  the  superiority  of  tlie  civil  power  over  that  of 


456 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  military ; as  an  inattention  to  this  might  possibly  involve  us  in 
still  greater  and  more  complicated  calamities  than  we  have  yet  expe- 
rienced. 

4th,  That  you  endeavor,  so  far  as  in  you  lies,  that  the  laws  of  this 
Province  for  suppressing  vice  and  immoralities  of  all  kinds  be  reli- 
giously put  into  execution,  and  that  the  hands  of  the  civil  officers  be 
strengthened  by  all  the  aid  and  countenance  that  may  be  necessary  to 
afford  them. 

5th,  We  instruct  that  you  use  your  influence  to  obtain  a just  esti- 
mate of  the  loss  and  damage  sustained  by  this  Colony  through  the 
operation  of  several  late  acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Boston  Port  Bill ; that  such  estimate  may  remain 
on  file,  and,  if  no  other  compensation  can  be  obtained,  it  may  hereafter 
be  brought  into  an  average  loss  on  the  whole  continent. 

(There  was  a committee  appointed  by  a late  Congress  for  this  pur- 
pose, which  reported  the  loss  until  toward  the  close  of  the  last  year ; 
which  report  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.  Should  you  obtain 
a vote  to  have  this  matter  committed,  that  report  may  serve  as  a 
guide.) 

6th,  That,  as  in  our  opinion  the  Fee  Bill  is  very  unequal,  we  instruct 
that  you  use  your  endeavors  that  such  fees  as  are  too  low  may  be 
raised,  and  those  which  are  too  high  may  be  reduced. 

As  your  proceedings  will  be  generally  under  the  direction  of  the 
American  Congress,  so  we  cannot  be  more  particular  in  giving  you 
instructions ; but,  praying  for  the  favor  of  Heaven  on  the  measures  of 
the  General  Assembly,  we  commend  you  to  the  divine  blessing. 


No.  12.  May  22,  1776.  — At  a meeting  of  the  town  of  Leicester, 
Voted^  That  Col.  Joseph  Henshaw,  Joseph  Allen,  Richard  Southgate, 
Capl.  Samuel  Green,  and  Capt.  Jonathan  Newhall,  be  a committee  to 
prepare  instructions  to  their  representative.  The  instructions  are  as 
follows : — 

To  Capt.  Seth  Washburn. 

Sir,  — The  town  of  Leicester  having  made  choice  of  you  to  repre- 
sent it  at  the  General  Court  the  ensuing  year  (in  the  course  of  which, 
’tis  more  than  probable,  the  most  resolute  exertions  of  the  court  may 
be  called  forth  to  defend  the  Colony  against  the  force  of  the  British 
king  and  ministry),  your  constituents  are  of  opinion  that  temporary 


APPENDIX. 


457 


appointments,  sufficient  for  the  peace,  order,  and  defence  of  the  Colony 
during  the  present  contest,  would  have  answered  more  valuable ; as, 
should  the  Honorable  Congress  declare  an  independence  on  the  king- 
dom of  Great  Britain,  and  form  a system  of  government  which  may 
be  adopted  by  the  continent,  some  future  court  might  be  under  the 
necessity  of  undoing  most  or  all  the  last  has  done. 

When  measures  are  hastily  adopted,  and  as  often  revoked,  it  dis- 
covers that  stability  to  be  wanting  which  alone  can  confer  dignity  or 
secure  authority.  Therefore  your  constituents,  to  prevent,  as  much  as 
they  may,  such  mistakes  taking  place  again,  instruct  you  that  you  pay 
the  strictest  attention  to  every  question  which  may  be  agitated  in  the 
House,  and  digest  it  well  in  your  own  mind  before  you  give  your 
vote. 

That  you  use  your  utmost  endeavor  to  obtain  a repeal  of  the  act 
providing  for  more  equal  representation  in  the  General  Court. 

Your  constituents  view  this  act  as  having  a manifest  tendency  to 
create  a jealousy  and  opposition  between  the  trading  and  landed  inte- 
rest of  the  Colony,  at  a time  when  it  is  universally  confessed  that 
unanimity  (under  God)  is  what  we  must  depend  on  for  safety. 

Your  constituents  flatter  themselves,  that  the  good  people  of  the 
Colony  will  not  generally  increase  their  number  of  representatives  ; 
which  would  be,  moreover,  a great  additional  charge  to  that  which  is 
now  and  will  be  necessarily  incurred  for  the  defence  of  the  Colony ; 
and  therefore  the  strictest  economy,  consistent  with  our  safety,  ought  to 
be  observed. 

That  you  endeavor  to  have  the  form  prescribed  in  the  Test  Act  for 
subscription  explained  or  altered.  You  are  sensible,  sir,  what  uni- 
versal uneasiness  the  clause  for  complying  with  such  requirements  and 
directions  of  the  laws  of  this  Colony  as  now  are,  or  may  hereafter  be, 
provided  for  the  regulation  of  the  militia,  occasioned  in  your  town. 

Your  constituents  esteem  it  as  unadvised  and  ill-timed.  They  know 
it  of  themselves,  and  think  the  same  of  others,  that  no  people  have  paid 
a more  strict  or  cheerful  obedience  to  the  laws  of  the  land  than  the 
people  of  this  Colony ; and  are  truly  sorry  that  the  late  court  should, 
by  the  forementioned  clause,  discover  a jealousy  and  distrust  of  their 
fidelity.  Your  constituents  are  willing  to  believe  it  was  principally 
designed  as  a test  for  those,  the  general  tenor  of  whose  conduct  deno- 
minated them  Tories,  or  enemies  to  their  country.  Moreover,  they 
view'  it  as  a precedent  which  may  be  attended  with  very  pernicious 
consequences ; and  are  of  opinion,  that  the  form  in  the  Test  Act,  without 

58 


458 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


the  foremen tioned  clause,  would  have  answered  all  the  ends  and  pur- 
poses of  the  test. 

You  are  likewise  instructed  to  bear  your  testimony  against  the  same 
persons  filling  places  of  great  importance  in  the  legislative  and  execu- 
tive departments,  the  incongruity  of  which  needs  no  comment. 

Your  constituents  understand  from  report,  that  the  late  court  had  in 
contemplation  the  stopping-up  the  harbor  of  Boston,  by  sinking  hulks 
in  the  channel  to  prevent  the  enemies’  ships  passing  to  the  town. 
Should  such  motion  be  acted  on,  you  are  instructed  to  oppose  it.  We 
can  think  of  one  case  only,  which,  in  our  opinion,  would  justify  the 
measure  ; viz.,  when  there  is  sudden  danger  of  a sudden  attack,  and  no 
time  to  make  a regular  defence. 

Stopping  the  harbor  of  Boston  your  constituents  consider  as  an 
effectual  method  to  ruin  the  trade,  sink  the  value  of  estates,  and  de- 
populate the  town,  as  if  the  enemy  had  reduced  it  to  ashes  before  their 
departure ; and,  the  town  being  depopulated,  it  is  not  material  whether 
it  was  accomplished  by  fire  or  water.  When  trade  has  once  forsook 
its  old  course,  and  forced  a new  channel,  its  recovery  may  be  de- 
spaired of. 

Therefore,  considering  the  loss  this  Colony  in  particular  has 
sustained  by  the  loss  of  the  trade  of  its  capital,  and  the  consequent 
reduction  of  estates,  your  constituents  cannot  consent  that  their  repre- 
sentatives should  be  aiding  in  a measure,  which,  in  our  opinion,  would 
further  greatly  injure  that  town,  and  the  Colony  in  general. 

As  America  is  threatened,  and  we  may  soon  expect  a formidable 
force  will  be  employed  to  accomplish  our  ruin,  we  are  alarmed  at  the 
apprehensions,  since  the  enemy  have  evacuated  the  metropolis  and  the 
Continental  Army  removed  to  the  southward,  that  so  few  forces  have 
been  raised  to  secure  and  defend  that  important  place ; for,  should  the 
enemy  return  to  repossess  themselves  of  the  town,  its  last  state,  in 
which  the  Colony  is  deeply  involved,  would  be  infinitely  worse  than 
the  former. 

Wherefore  we  strictly  enjoin  it  on  and  instruct  you,  that  you  move 
for  a re-enforcement  of  troops,  to  be  immediately  raised,  sufficient  to 
complete  the  fortifications  and  defend  the  town,  should  an  attack  be 
made  thereon,  till  relief  could  be  had  from  the  standing  militia  of  the 
Colony. 

May  22,  1776.  — At  a meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  Leicester,  duly  warned,  it  was  Voted  by  the  inhabitants  then 


APPENDIX. 


459 


present,  unanimously^  That,  in  case  the  Honorable  the  Continental  Con- 
gress should  declare  these  Colonies  independent  of  Great  Britain,  they 
Avould  support  said  Congress  in  effectuating  such  a measure,  at  the  risk 
of  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

A true  entry.  Attest, 

Jos.  Allen,  2hwn  Clerk. 


No.  7. — Town-Clerks,  and  Selectmen  before  1821. 


1.  Town-Clerks. 

Nathaniel  Richardson,  1722. 

John  Potter,  1723. 

Daniel  Denny,  1724-1726. 

Joshua  Nichols,  1727-1732. 

Josiah  Converse,  1733-1736. 

John  Whittemore,  1737-1749. 

John  Whittemore,  1751-1761. 

David  Henshaw,  1750. 

Thomas  Steele,  1762-1769. 

William  Henshaw,  1770-1771  and 
1773. 

Thomas  Denny,  1772. 

Thomas  Denny,  1784-1786. 

Joseph  Allen,  1774-1777. 

John  Southgate,  1778-1779. 

John  Lyon,  1780. 

Hezekiah  Ward,  1781-1783. 

Austin  Flint,  1786-1800. 

Nathaniel  P.  Denny,  1801-1813. 
John  Wilder,  1814. 

Joseph  Denny,  1815. 

Edward  Flint,  1816-1825. 

Emory  Washburn,  1826. 

Joseph  A.  Denny,  1827. 

John  Sargent,  1828-1849. 

Joseph  A.  Denny,  1850-1860. 


2.  Selectmen. 

Those  marked  with  an  asterisk  (*)  were  at  some 
time  chairmen. 

♦Samuel  Green,  1722-1724,  1727- 

1729,  1731. 

♦John  Smith,  1722, 1724, 1726, 1729- 

1730. 

♦Nathaniel  Richardson,  1722,  1724. 
♦John  Lynde,  1722-1723,1732, 1734- 
1736,  1742. 


James  Southgate,  1722-1726, 1734- 
1736,  1739. 

♦John  Menzies,  1723-1724. 

John  Potter,  1723,  1727. 

♦Richard  Southgate,  1725-1731, 
1736. 

Thomas  Newhall,  1725-1726,  1731. 

Benjamin  Johnson,  1725,  1733, 
1738-1739,  1743,  1749. 

♦Daniel  Dennv,  1725-1726.  1728- 
1731,  1734-1735,  1737-1739, 

1741,  1743,  1748,  1750-1751, 
1756. 

Thomas  Richardson,  1727-1731, 
1735-1736,  1741. 

Joshua  Nichols,  1727,  1742,  1744. 

James  Wilson,  1730,  1746-1748, 
1751. 

William  Brown,  1728,  1736. 

John  Saunderson,  1732,  1740. 

♦John  Whittemore,  1732-1734, 1739, 
1742-1745,  1747-1749,  1751. 

♦Josiah  Converse,  1733-1735. 

Nathaniel  Green,  1737-1738,  1744. 

Samuel  Capen,  1737-1738. 

♦Benjamin  Tucker,  1737-1739,  1742- 
1744,  1746-1751,  1758,  1760- 
1763. 

I Peter  Sylvester,  1737. 

I ♦Christopher  J.  Lawton,  1740-1741. 

Jonathan  Witt,  1740. 

Samuel  Brown,  1740-1741. 

Jonathan  Sargent,  1740. 

♦Thomas  Steele,  1741,  1752-1755, 

: 1758-1759,  1761-1764,  1767- 

1768. 

Luke  Lincoln,  1742-1744,  1746- 
1747. 

Samuel  Garfield,  1745. 

I John  Smith,  jun.,  1745. 


460 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


Moses  Smith,  1745,  1750,  1752-  ' 
1753. 

^Nathaniel  Goodspeed,  1745-1748, 
1755,  1758-1759,  1764-1766. 

John  Brown,  1746, 1749-1750, 1754, 
1756-1757,  1759-1760,  1763, 

1766. 

Nathaniel  Waite,  1749,  1752-1755, 
1759. 

*Daniel  Henshaw',  1750-1751,  1755- 
1757,  1760-1762,  1764-1766. 
Samuel  Stower,  1752-1753. 

William  Green,  jun.,  1752-1754, 

1763,  1766-1768,  1775-1777. 

John  Fletcher,  1754,  1767-1768. 
Oliver  Witt,  1755-1757, 1760-1762, 

1764, 

John  Lynde,  jun.,  1756. 

*Benjamin  Earle,  1757. 
*JonathanNewhall,  1757-1759, 1761- 

1765,  1774. 

*Thomas  Denny,  1765-1766,  1769- 
1772. 

John  Dunbar,  1767. 

^William  Henshaw,  1767-1772, 1779, 

1782,  1784-1786. 

Ephraim  Mo’wer,  1768. 

♦Seth  Washburn,  1769-1773,  1775, 
1792. 

♦Samuel  Denny,  1769,  1773,  1775- 
1777,  1779-1780,  1782-1786, 

1787. 

B-obert  Craig,  1769,  1771,  1775. 
♦Samuel  Green,  1770,  1772,  1774, 
1776-1777,  1780,  1782-1786, 

1788-1792,  1794,  1796,  1798. 
Nathan  Sargent,  1770-1771. 

Edward  Bond,  1772. 

James  Baldwin,  1773-1775. 

♦Thomas  Newhall,  1773,  1778-1781, 

1783,  1785-1786,  1789-1792, 

1797-1798. 

Isaac  Choate,  1774. 

♦Joseph  Sargent,  1774,  1776,  1781- 

1784,  1787-1788. 

♦Hezekiah  Ward,  1774,  1778-1779, 
1781-1782,  1784. 

William  Watson,  1776,  1786-1788, 


1790-1792,  1799,  1800-1801, 

1803. 

Loring  Lincoln,  1777. 

Joseph  Allen,  1777. 

♦Henry  King,  1778, 1791-1794, 1798. 
John  Southgate,  1778-1779,  1783, 

1793. 

James  Baldwin,  jun.,  1778. 

John  Lyon,  1780. 

Dr.  Isaac  Green,  1780. 

Peter  Taft,  1781. 

Ebenezer  Upham,  1781. 

♦Edward  Bawson,  1784-1785,  1787- 
1790. 

I Jonathan  Sargent,  1787-1788. 

I ♦David  Henshaw,  1789,  1793-1796, 

1798- 1799,  1802,  1806-1807. 
♦Thomas  Denny,  1789-1791,  1793- 

1794,  1796,  1799-1801,  1803, 
1811-1812. 

Timothy  Sprague,  1793, 1795-1797, 

1799- 1801. 

Knight  Sprague,  1795,  1797. 
Benjamin  AVatson,  1795. 

Thomas  Parker,  1795. 

Bichard  Bond,  1796-1797. 

Nathan  Waite,  1797. 

William  Sprague,  1798. 

Samuel  Trask,  1799-1800. 

♦John  Sargent,  1800-1806,  1811- 
1816,  1820. 

♦Austin  Flint,  1801-1805,  1813- 
1820. 

Joseph  Washburn,  1802-1807. 

John  Hobart,  1802,  1809,  1810- 
1811,  1819. 

I ♦Samuel  AVaite,  1804-1810. 

I Andrew  Scott,  1804-1805. 

Daniel  Hubard,  1806-1810. 

; Jonathan  Earle,  1807-1808. 

Darius  Cutting,  1808-1810. 

! ♦Nathaniel  P.  Denny,  1808-1814. 

I Samuel  D.  AA^atson,  1812,  1815- 

I 1820. 

Daniel  McFarland,  1812-1813. 

! John  King,  1813-1820. 

Henry  Sargent,  1814,  1817-1820. 

1 Jonah  Earle,  1815-1818. 


APPENDIX. 


461 


No.  8.  — Location  of  Roads. 

I have  selected  a few  of  the  roads  early  laid  out,  as  the  readiest  way 
of  presenting  to  the  reader,  whose  curiosity  may  lead  him  to  the  in- 
quiry, the  condition  at  the  time,  and  the  geographical  appearance,  of 
the  town,  by  the  objects  referred  to  in  making  these  locations. 

The  earliest  of  these  is  the  one  leading  north  from  the  Meeting- 
house, laid  out  May  3,  1721.  “Beginning  from  the  Common-land, 
behind  the  Meeting-house,  at  a black-birch,  striped,  and  standing  by  a 
great  red  oak  ; from  thence  straight  down  to  a great  black  oak,  standing 
a little  from  the  swamp ; from  thence  to  a black  oak  in  the  swamp ; 
from  thence  to  a black  oak  by  the  side  of  the  hill,  two  standing  to- 
gether ; from  thence  to  a double  oak  upon  the  rise  of  the  hill ; and  from 
thence  to  an  oak-stump  upon  the  ledge  above  Garids  Swamp ; from 
thence  to  a great  black  oak;  and  from  thence  to  an  oak  sapling  near 
against  Arthur  Carids  rise ; all  striped  : and  the  road  to  go  on  the  west 
side  of  them  all.”  By  ^is  it  appears  that  it  must  have  been  a forest 
from  the  Meeting-house  to  the  top  of  Carey’s  Hill.  Carey’s  Swamp  is 
just  east  of  Mrs.  Newhall’s. 

The  “ Country  Road,”  from  Worcester  to  Spencer,  was  laid  out  by 
the  town,  Oct.  5,  1723.  “From  Chestnut  Hill  to  the  Meeting-house 
shall  be  four  rods  in  breadth,  as  it  is  now  marked  on  both  sides  of  the 
way ; with  and  under  this  alteration,  — that  that  part  of  the  aforesaid 
road  below  Mr.  Denny’s  house,  towards  the  brook,  shall  be  measured 
from  his  fence  on  the  south  side  of  his  house,  four  rods  wide,  all  along 
southward  of  said  fence  until  it  comes  to  tlie  brook  at  the  bridge ; 
and  then  the  road  is  to  run  as  marked  out  from  that  bridge,  all  along 
to  Richard  Southgate’s,  of  the  above-mentioned  width,  and  Daniel 
Denny  is  to  alter  his  fence  where  it  encroaches  thereupon ; and,  from 
Richard  Southgate’s  house,  along  in  that  way  which  was  forrnerly  in 
use  when  the  town  was  laid  out,  and  hath  now  trees  marked  on  the 
north  and  north-east  sides  thereof  all  along,  and  which,  in  like  manner, 
is  to  be  four  rods  wide,  and  Mr.  Southgate’s  fence  is  to  be  altered,  and 
the  road,  as  now  designated,  to  be  cleared  for  the  convenience  of  better 
passing  with  horse  and  teams;  and  so  to  Nathaniel  Richardson’s  house; 
and  from  that  to  the  said  INIeeting-house,  by  the  old  road  up  the  hill,  as 
now  in  use,  without  taking  any  notice  of  the  trees  within  John  Smith’s 
fence,  though  formerly  marked ; and  from  the  Meeting-house  along  by 
Judge  Menzies’  fence,  as  Deacon  Southgate  shall  think  fit;  and  from 


462 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


that  fence  to  William  Brown’s  house,  as  it  is,  all  along,  marked  upon 
trees  on  the  same,  on  the  north  and  north-west  side  of  the  road;  and 
from  said  William  Brown’s  house  to  Oliver  Watson’s,  as  marked:  all 
which  roads  are  to  be  at  least  four  rods  wide.” 

The  houses  referred  to  in  the  above,  as  then  standing,  were  Daniel 
Denny’s,  where  Rufus  Upham  lately  lived  ; Richard  Southgate’s,  north- 
west from  wdiere  John  Southgate  lived,  — the  house  now  gone ; Na- 
thaniel Richardson’s,  the  house  opposite  to  the  present  Catholic  Church. 
John  Smith’s  land  was  on  the  east  side  of  Meeting-house  Hill.  Wil- 
liam Brown’s  was  on  Mount  Pleasant,  lately  belonging  to  Col.  Henry 
Sargent,  known  as  the  Mower  House. 

The  “ Oxford  Road,”  from  the  Great  Road  to  the  Capt.  Gleason 
Place,  was  laid  out  July  20,  1724.  “ Began  at  a heap  of  stones,  and  a 

birch  stake  there  erected  by  said  selectmen,  at  the  corner  on  the  east 
side  of  said  road,  just  over  a slow,  westerly  of  the  Pound ; the  said 
course  being  there  marked  also  with  a birch  stake  in  said  heap  of  stones, 
Muth  three  chops  in  said  stake  on  the  west  side,  and  then  running  from 
thence  southerly  to  a black-oak  tree,  seven  foot  to  the  east  of  said  tree, 
and  making  it  up  three  rods  wide  west  of  said  tree,  which  tree  is  marked 
with  three  chops  on  the  west  and  south,  — said  tree  was  about  six  or 
seven  rods  from  the  abovesaid  corner;  and  from  thence  to  another 
black-oak  tree,  three  rods  east  of  said  tree,  which  tree  stands  betwixt 
the  aforesaid  tree  and  the  house  where  John  Armstrong  now  lives ; 
and  from  thence  to  Benjamin  Johnson’s  fence,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  three  rods  from  said  fence,  near  by  the  said  Johnson’s  house ; and 
so  along  by  the  west  end  of  said  house  to  a young  chestnut-tree,  betwixt 
the  house  where  the  said  Johnson  now  lives  and  the  house  where  John 
Peters  formerly  lived,  three  rods  to  the  east  of  said  tree,  being  marked 
with  a spot  above  said  chops  upon  the  east  side  of  said  tree ; and  from 
thence  to  a large  chestnut-tree  standing  westerly  by  the  house  of 
Thomas  Pierce,  three  rods  westerly  of  said  tree,  being  marked  on 
the  westward  side ; and  from  thence  southerly  to  a black-oak  tree, 
near  by  the  house  of  Thomas  Hopkins,  three  rods  to  the  west  of  said 
tree.” 

The  Charlton  Road,  from  Capt.  Gleason’s  to  Green’s  Mill,  was  laid 
out  November,  1724.  Begins  at  a black  oak  near  the  house  of  Thomas 
Hopkins ; thence  to  three  chestnuts ; thence  to  a red  oak ; thence  to  a 
clump  of  red  oaks ; thence  to  a red  oak ; thence  to  a black  oak*;  thence 
to  a gray  oak ; thence  to  a large  black  oak ; thence  to  another  large 
black  oak,  near  a slow,  westerly  of  the  Widow  Watson’s  house ; thence 


APPENDIX. 


463 


to  a young  red  oak ; thence  to  another  red-oak  tree  ; thence  to  a black 
oak ; thence  to  another  black  oak ; and  so  on  to  a small  white  oak  ; a 
black  oak;  a black  oak,  “just  up  the  pitch  of  the  Livermore  Hill;” 
a black  oak  ; “ thence  to  a pitch-pine  on  the  top  of  the  hill ; ” and  so  on, 
from  one  tree  to  another,  “ until  it  comes  to  two  pines,”  — “ the  said 
pines  standing  near  said  Livermore’s  house ; ” then  by  trees,  &c.,  “ to 
William  Green’s  orchard  fence,  three  rods  to  the  eastward  of  said  fence  ; 
and  so  along  by  said  Green’s  fence,  as  it  now  stands,  on  the  westerly 
side  of  said  road,  to  a black-oak  tree ; ” thence  to  other  trees,  “ to  a 
black  oak  almost  at  the  entering  of  Thomas  Richardson’s ; and  from 
thence  to  a black  oak  ; and  from  thence  to  a black  oak ; and  so  includ- 
ing the  causeway  that  is  by  Thomas  Richardson’s  fence ; ” thence  by  a 
succession  of  trees  described ; “ and  so  along  to  Capt.  Samuel  Green’s 
cornraill.”  The  road  was  laid  out  three  rods  wide. 

By  this  description,  it  will  appear  that  the  road  w^as  laid,  all  the 
way,  through  the  primitive  forest,  except  near  Mrs.  Watson’s  (whose 
house  was  about  twenty  rods  north-east  of  the  house  formerly  of  Capt. 
William  Watson),  at  Jonas  Livermore’s  at  the  foot  of  Livermore  Hill, 
at  William  Green’s  orchard,  where  Amos  Whittemore  lately  lived, 
and  at  Thomas  Richardson’s  (afterwards  the  Baptist  Parsonage)  ; and 
that  these  were  the  only  inhabitants,  at  that  time,  between  Thomas 
Hopkins’s  (Capt.  Gleason’s)  and  Green’s  Mills. 

The  road  from  Green’s  Mills  to  Charlton  line  w'as  laid  out  in  Febru- 
ary, 1745.  “ Began  at  Leicester  south  line,  adjoining  land  of  Thomas 

Parker,  near  about  the  way  which  is  used  for  a cart-way,  where  we 
marked  a black-oak  tree,  on  the  west  side  of  said  way,  with  two  chops 
facing  said  way,  and  supposed  to  be  in  the  land  of  Mr.  Bodwin  (Bow- 
doin).  We  ran  along  northerly  till  we  came  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Boarns 
(Bourne)  ; and  so  along  till  we  came  to  Dr.  Green’s  land;  and,  on  the 
eighteenth  day  of  February  current,  met  again,  and  marked  the  way 
through  Dr.  Green’s  land.  We  began  to  near  said  Green’s  wolf -pit, 
a little  south  of  said  pit ; and  so  along  north  a few  rods  east  of  said 
pit;  and  so  along  ; and  then  easterly  through  said  Green’s  improve- 
ments ; and  came  into  the  way  formerly  laid  out,  at  the  south-east 
corner  of  Dr.  Green’s  garden.” 

The  road  from  the  Southgate  Place  to  the  John  King  Place  Avas 
laid  out  December,  1739.  Beginning  at  the  Country  Road  by  Richard 
Southgate’s  ; then  by  the  house  (against  the  house  to  be  two  rods,  all 
the  rest  of  the  way  three  rods,  Avide),  by  marked  trees,  to  Thomas 
Steel’s,  across  his  pasture,  to  the  northerly  end  of  the  stone  wall  by  his 


464 


HISTORY  OF  LEICESTER. 


garden ; and  so  by  said  wall ; and,  easterly,  by  side  of  said  Steel’s 
barn,  extending  southerly  through  said  Steel’s  land  by  marked  trees, 
through  Bethune’s  land,  across  the  way  that  leads  to  Oxford,  to  Wil- 
liam Green’s. 

Steel’s  was  the  Henshaw  Place ; Green’s,  the  John  King  Place. 


INDEX 


Adams,  Ebenezer,  199. 

John  F.,  203. 

Allen,  Daniel,  13. 

Hon.  Joseph,  311,  322,  329. 

Lewis,  163,  164. 

Appleton,  Rev.  Dr.,  96. 

Aunt  Hannah,  144. 

Bald  Hill,  21. 

Bank,  38.  - 

Baptist  Society,  111. 

Biiss,  Joseph,  225,  263. 

Bells,  church,  106. 

Black  Tom,  anecdote,  51. 

Bond’s  Tavern,  description  of,  136. 
Boundaries,  original,  8. 

present,  20. 

Bradish,  Sally,  141. 

Bradhurst,  Ralph,  10. 

Brigham,  David,  185. 

Brown,  Capt.  John,  63,  271,  280,  306. 

Bruce,  Phinehas,  202. 

Bunker-Hill  Battle,  302. 

Burncoat  Pond,  23. 

Caesar  Augustus  Finnemore,  incident,  52. 
Canada  Expedition,  218. 

Card-business,  32. 

Carey  Hill,  22. 

Casualties,  132. 

Catholics,  119. 

Celebration,  historical,  148. 

Cellar-holes,  169. 

Cemeteries,  161. 

Census,  25. 

Chandler,  John,  13. 

Chestnut  Hill,  21. 

Choate,  Francis,  133. 

Isaac,  133. 

Clapp,  Joshua,  32,  106. 

Clark,  John,  11. 

Rev.  Josiah,  199. 

Clocks,  town,  106. 

Colored  population,  48. 

Committees  of  Safety  and  Correspond- 
ence, 226,  321. 

Common,  description  of  ancient,  137. 

59 


Concord  alarm,  296. 

Conklin,  Rev.  Benjamin,  93,  331. 
Convention,  Worcester,  in  1774,  288. 
Converse,  Josiah,  62,  85. 

Coolidge,  Rev.  Amos  H.,  101. 

Craig,  Dr.  Robert,  191. 

Lieut.  Nathan,  148,  152,  224,  303, 
306,  307,  309. 

Crown-Point  Expedition,  212,  273. 
Cummings,  Dr.  J.  P.  C.,  194. 

Currency,  57. 

Curtice,"John,  10. 

Daggett,  Dr.  E.  A.,  194. 

Davenport,  Addington,  11. 

Day,  Capt.  Luke,  anecdote,  330. 

Delegates  to  conventions,  64,  246,  325, 
327,  328. 

Denison,  Rev.  Andrew  C.,  101. 

Denny,  Capt.  Daniel,  50,  82. 

Col.  Thomas,  245,  293. 

Col.  Thomas,  jun.,  110,  247,  328. 
Col.  Samuel,  214,  221,  248,  328, 
331. 

Hon.  Nathaniel  P.,  183. 

Dorr,  Joseph,  181. 

Dudley,  Paul,  11. 

William,  13. 

Dummer,  Jeremiah,  10 

Earle,  James,  209. 

Pliny,  33. 

Ralph,  207. 

Winthrop,  204. 

Ecclesiastical  History,  70. 

Emigration  to  other  States,  174. 

Episcopal  Society,  117. 

Families,  early,  54. 

Finnemore,  Ciesar  Augustus,  incident,  52. 
Fire  company,  68,  150. 

Fires,  130. 

Flint,  Dr.  Austin,  191,  222,  331. 

Dr.  Edward,  194. 

Hon.  Waldo,  186. 

Fort  William  Henry,  massacre,  274. 
Foster,  Rev.  Benjamin,  113. 


466 


INDEX. 


Fourth-of-July  Celebration,  148. 

French  War,  210,  271. 

Friends’  Meeting-house,  116. 

Friends,  Society  of,  116. 

Gamblin,  Benjamin,  10. 

Gardner,  Andrew,  10. 

Garrisons,  127. 

Genealogies,  342. 

Goddard,  Kev.  David,  88. 

Graduates  of  colleges,  196. 

Grantees  in  the  Indian  deed,  9. 

Green,  Capt.  Samuel,  47,  82,  84,  111. 

Dr.  Thomas,  111. 

Dr.  Isaac,  190,  221,  226. 

Israel,  308. 

Eev.  Nathaniel,  115. 

Samuel  D.,  204. 

Greenville,  47. 

Gristmills,  47. 

Henshaw,  Joshua,  239. 

Capt.  David,  225,  226,  238,  328. 
Col.  Joseph,  197,  294,  300,  311, 
322. 

Col.  William,  214,  222,  225,  235, 
244,  302,  310,  311,  321,  325. 
Hon.  David,  205. 

Daniel,  203. 

Hermit  of  Carey’s  Hill,  22,  126. 

Hersey,  Austin,  204. 

Dr.  Thomas,  191. 

Hills,  21. 

Historical  Celebration,  148. 

Holden,  Capt.  John,  223,  269. 

Holmes,  Dr.  Jacob,  194. 

Honeywood,  Dr.  John,  187,  226,  298. 

St.  John,  200. 

Houses,  ancient,  173. 

when  built,  139. 

Howe,  Thomas,  13. 

Hubbard,  Daniel,  306. 

Hurricane,  132. 

Hutchinson,  Thomas,  12. 

William,  13. 

Indians,  48. 

Indian  deed,  7. 

wars,  127. 

Inventories,  27. 

Jews,  120. 

Jones,  Silas,  187. 

Justices  of  the  peace,  195. 

Kettle  Brook,  23. 

King,  Henry,  326. 

Knight,  Daniel,  186. 

La  Fayette’s  visit,  160. 

Lamb,  Joshua,  10. 

Lamed,  Dr.  Jeremiah,  191. 

Lawton,  Christopher  J.,  182. 

Dr.  Pliny,  27,  61,  188. 

Dr.  William,  191. 

Lexington  Battle,  295. 

Libraries,  68. 


Literary  Associations,  69. 

Livermore,  Abner,  306. 

Isaac,  306. 

Local  History,  125. 

Lopez,  Aaron,  121. 

Lynde,  John,  jun.,  60. 

May,  Rev.  Samuel,  118. 

Mechanics,  29. 

Meeting-house,  first,  70. 

second,  description  of,  103. 
Menzies,  John,  62,  177. 

Methodists,  119. 

Mills,  23,  30,  47. 

Ministers,  75. 

Minute-men,  215. 

[ Monmouth  Battle,  257. 

I Moore,  Major  Willard,  285,  307. 

I Eev.  Zephaniah  Swift,  96. 

I Moose  Hill,  21. 

I Mount  Pleasant,  21,  163. 
j Muenscher,  Rev.  Joseph,  117. 

Municipal  affairs,  54. 

' Music,  sacred,  106. 

I Nelson,  Rev.  John,  100. 

Newhall,  Capt.  Thomas,  216,  312. 

I Nichols,  Joshua,  60,  85. 

North  Pond,  23. 

Page,  Nathaniel,  10. 

Parish,  first,  incorporated,  102. 

Parsozas,  Dr.  Solomon,  61,  189. 

Israel,  28. 

Joseph,  75. 

Rev.  David,  75. 

Solomon,  jun.,  257. 

Paxton  set  off,  65. 

Personal  notices,  177,  235. 

Physicians,  187. 

Piano,  first,  110. 

Ponds,  23. 

Post-offices,  44,  169. 

Powder,  scarcity  of,  300. 

distributed,  311. 

Precinct,  West,  incorporated,  64. 

Prices  of  labor,  &c.,  67,  326. 

Professional  men,  177. 

I Proprietors,  early,  56. 
j original,  9. 

I Public-houses,  167. 

Purchase  from  the  Lidians,  5. 

I Quakers,  116. 

! Railroads,  42. 

I Rawson,  Dr.  Edward,  190. 

I Removals  from  Leicester,  175. 

I Representatives,  62. 

Residents,  early,  229. 

I Resolutions  and  instmctions,  280,  295. 

! Revolutionary  War,  214,  276. 

I Richardson,  John,  200. 

Roads,  39. 

Roberts,  Rev.  Joseph,  90. 

Ruggles,  Samuel,  10. 
j Russell,  Dr.  Absalom,  190,  218. 


I^^DEX. 


467 


Salaries,  67. 

Salem,  Peter,  223,  266,  308. 

Sargeant,  Nathan,  298,  330. 

Samuel,  306. 

Schools,  56,  60. 

School  districts,  61,  231. 

houses,  61. 

Senators,  63. 

Settlement  of  the  town,  15. 

Sewall,  Samuel,  13. 

Shaw  Pond,  23. 

Shay’s  Rebellion,  329. 

Singing,  106. 

Slavery,  48. 

Slaves,  49. 

Social  gatherings,  146. 

Spencer  set  off,  18,  64. 

Spinner,  the  last,  141. 

Sprague,  Knight,  274. 

Southgate,  Capt.  John,  134,  240. 

John,  jun.,  134. 

Richard,  115. 

Robert,  206. 

Steward,  116. 

Stage-coaches,  43. 

Statistics  of  business,  38. 

Steele,  Thomas,  179. 

Stickney,  Thomas,  164. 

Strawberry  Hill,  21. 

Streams,  20,  24. 

Sumner,  Bradford,  185. 

Swan,  Major  James,  165. 

Samuel,  203. 

Taxes,  228. 

Territory,  — original  boundaries,  8. 

proprietors,  9. 
conditions  of  purchase,  18. 
division  of,  17. 

Todd,  Capt.  William,  company  of,  225,  226. 
Tornado,  132. 

Town  House,  102. 


' Town  meetings,  54. 
officers,  55. 

Townsend,  Col.  Penn,  9,  14. 

' Towtaid,  7,  9. 

Traders,  45. 

Tucker,  Benjamin,  10. 

Tufts,  Rev.  James,  95. 

Unitarian  Society,  118. 

Upham,  Hon.  William,  204. 

Valuation,  26. 

Villagers,  47. 

i Village  of  Leicester,  description  of,  136. 

Wainwright,  Francis,  13. 

Wars,  French,  210,  271. 

I of  1812,  332. 

Revolutionary,  214,  276. 

Ward  incorporated,  65. 
i Ward,  William,  182. 

Hezekiah,  322,  327. 

Washburn,  Asa,  256. 

Capt.  Seth’s  company,  216, 

01Q  9Q4.  OQQ 

Col.  Seth,’  215^  248,  296,  304, 
306,  307,  309,  310,  312,  313, 
323,  324,  325,  329. 

' Lieut.  Joseph,  219,  222,  254, 

331. 

Reuben,  202. 

Ebenezer,  308. 

i Emory,  102,  151,  186. 

Washington’s  visit,  160. 

Watson,  Oliver,  300. 

Samuel,  24,  30. 

Whirlwind,  132. 
i Whitcomb,  Dr.  C.  W.,  194. 

White,  John,  12. 

Wilson,  Rev.  Luther,  200. 

Woollen  mills,  30,  38. 

I Worcester,  Dr.  Isaac  R.,  194. 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 


903 


1023595 


DATE  DUE 


FES  - 

S 

APR 

n ? 2D0? 

U L CiUU£ 

CAVLORO 

